A consortium consisting of area developer AM, ELGRA, the Miscanthus Group and Impact Hub has been awarded the Circular Chain Projects subsidy from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. The subsidy will be used for the further development of Elephant Grass (also known as Miscanthus) into a biobased construction product.
After an innovation process that AM set up with Impact Hub, Elephant Grass was chosen as a promising crop for use as a building material. To further develop this, a collaboration has been entered into with ELGRA. This impact company already produces various Olifantsgras products in collaboration with local farmers (Miscanthus Group) and is now taking the step into housing construction with AM. The collaboration is taking concrete shape in Haarlemmermeer, where AM wants to make a more positive impact with future housing plots.
Sustainability potential
The choice for Olifantsgras stems from the sustainability potential and opportunities for construction. It takes up to four times more Co2 than a forest because the plant grows back every year after harvesting. It also has a positive impact on nitrogen absorption, biodiversity on agricultural land and locally against goose nuisance. In combination with Mycelium, various potential building materials can be made from it.
A first prototype of the product was launched at Provada 2023. This is the result of a feasibility study that AM and ELGRA started in January. The chain partners jointly presented the product, the lessons learned so far and next steps.
About the collaboration
The collaboration is the result of the innovation strategy that AM has drawn up in the context of its Climate Positive objective. Impact Hub has supervised the innovation process and collaboration and will remain involved in Biobased Renovation as a process supervisor. ELGRA is a circular impact company that combines Miscanthus with Mycelium
