In a joint effort to promote sustainability and reduce the impact on the environment, five leading housing associations in West Brabant – Thuisvester, Alwel, Laurentius, Woonkwartier and Stadlander – took an important step on February 20. They have signed a commitment statement to use bio-based insulation materials more often in new construction and renovation projects. This initiative was announced during the fourth knowledge session 'From Plant to Building', which focused on biobased (re)construction in the region.
These corporations aim to drastically reduce the CO2 emissions associated with building materials by switching to bio-based building materials. These materials, such as flax or hemp, are made from plant sources and offer a sustainable alternative to traditional insulation materials. The implementation of bio-based insulation material in facades and walls will be gradually expanded during the planned renovation and new construction projects in the period 2024-2028.
In the first phase, which will last two years, there will be a declaration of intent due to existing production agreements with builders. After 2025, corporations will express their full commitment to using biobased insulation materials, paving the way for large-scale implementation.
Dominique Hopmans, administrative leader of Circular Region at RWB and also councilor of Bergen op Zoom, emphasized the importance of this initiative for the region. He stated: “West Brabant is working on future prospects based on its plant-based past and DNA. This approach proves that again. Through the commitment of housing associations, we give a boost to the new, clean economy through guaranteed sales of bio-based insulation material.” This initiative is seen not only as a step towards more sustainable social housing, but also as an opportunity to create new economic opportunities for farmers, the manufacturing industry and the construction sector in the region.
The construction sector is responsible for a significant portion of global CO2 emissions, mainly due to material use and production processes. By switching to biobased building materials, these emissions can be significantly reduced. Insulating homes is an essential part of this commitment to sustainability, as hundreds of thousands of homes will need to be insulated in the coming years to promote energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint.
With its strong agricultural background and focus on bio-based initiatives, West Brabant could play a leading role in the production and processing of these sustainable building materials. This potential is further underlined by the submission of project sheets in the West Brabant Region Deal application, which are aimed at stimulating bio-based construction in the region. Now that this application has been granted, these projects can be scaled up and expanded, paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future for West Brabant.
Source: West-Brabant.eu
