The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl) is looking for entrepreneurs who can produce high-quality building materials from Dutch bio-based raw materials. The new Innovation Impact Challenge for Biobased Building Materials from Dutch Soil has been open since August 27th. Anyone wishing to participate must submit a short Expression of Interest by 23:13.00 PM on Tuesday, September 1,8rd. The total budget is €XNUMX million.
Biobased materials reduce CO2 and import dependency
Using its own biobased materials, the Netherlands aims to reduce CO2 emissions in the construction industry and become less dependent on imports of CO2-intensive materials like concrete, bitumen, and mineral wool. Biobased products sequester carbon in buildings for extended periods and can partially replace these materials. The challenge aligns with the National Biobased Construction Approach, which aims to achieve widespread adoption of biobased building materials by 2030. The challenge description also refers to European plans for Whole Life Carbon and to requirements from the Central Government Real Estate Agency.
Promising components from Dutch cultivation can be applied within two to three years
Entrepreneurs are challenged to process bio-based raw materials and plant-based residual flows into building material components that can be implemented in practice within two to three years and scaled up. Special attention is being paid to less common crops such as sunflower, sorghum, and miscanthus. A profitable supply chain requires the value utilization of the entire crop. By-products outside the construction sector are possible, as long as at least one flow goes to a construction application. The challenge focuses on two routes. Biorefinery involves separating and processing bio-based raw materials into building materials with marketable by-products. Processing involves the efficient collection, transport, and processing of building materials into components. Projects must be scalable and demonstrate a tangible product-market fit.
Market parties with Dutch raw materials and processing are eligible
The competition is open to market participants who can provide research services and wish to commercialize them. The raw materials are of Dutch origin, and the processing takes place in the Netherlands. Projects that solely conduct research without the prospect of a business case are excluded, as are applications based on abiotic raw materials such as sand and clay. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl) uses a clear definition. A biobased building material consists of at least seventy percent renewable bio-based raw materials. Binders such as resins and adhesives count if they are ninety percent biobased. At the end of phase two, a life cycle analysis according to EN 15804 Part 2 is mandatory.
From feasibility study to tested prototype with retention of ownership
The procedure has two phases. In phase one, selected parties conduct a feasibility study and build the right consortium, preferably with partners up to and including the contractor. Phase two involves research and development up to and including TRL 7, with a tested prototype and a limited pilot series in a realistic setting. Only those who successfully complete phase one can be invited to phase two. Intellectual property remains with the entrepreneur. Market introduction is not covered by the funding, although the government can later act as a launch customer.
Three hundred thousand euros for feasibility, one and a half million for development
Three hundred thousand euros are available for phase one. A maximum of thirty thousand euros is available for each feasibility study. A total of one and a half million euros has been reserved for phase two, with a maximum of three hundred thousand euros per project. The allocation is nine hundred thousand euros for biorefining and six hundred thousand euros for processing. The challenge has been open since August 27th, and registration closes on September 23rd at 13.00:11 PM. An online information meeting will be held on Thursday, September 8.30th. The website lists the timeframe as 10.00:9.00 AM to XNUMX:XNUMX AM, while the PDF indicates a start time of XNUMX:XNUMX AM. Registration is possible via the form on the RVO website.
Impact weighs heavily, from low environmental impact to a strong business case
Projects receive extra points if they demonstrably contribute to the societal challenge, with clear figures on impact and usability for users. The lower the environmental impact of crops, transport, and processing, the better. Reduced competition with food is a factor, as is the high-quality utilization of byproducts such as proteins and nutrients. Economic justification is also highly valued. In phase two, the committee will specifically consider alignment with regulations, quality requirements, and market demand.
From grass fiber to greenhouse stems as a building component
The challenge description shares examples that demonstrate how value chains are created. Grass contains fiber, protein, and sugars. The fibers can become insulation, while the protein is used as animal feed. Miscanthus and hemp shives yield long and short fibers, each with its own application. Plant stems from greenhouse horticulture, which are often burned or composted, can be pressed into boards or processed into insulation, with separate nutrient extraction as a circular fertilizer. The examples are for inspiration. The message is to come up with your own promising innovations.
Fiber cultivation as a revenue model and new product-market combinations in construction
For farmers, fiber cultivation offers an additional revenue model with a different risk mix than conventional crops. For builders and suppliers, it opens up the prospect of new product-market combinations, provided there is early collaboration on certification, performance requirements, and application in projects. The National Approach focuses on scaling up cultivation, processing, and application. This challenge complements this with concrete development projects that should yield visible results within two to three years.
Those who want to participate start with the Expression of Interest. After that, a clear budget, a clear consortium, and concrete impact figures are essential. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl) emphasizes that the government can later act as a client, but that entrepreneurs must first demonstrate that the project works and can generate revenue.
For more information about the RVO.nl page, please visit Innovation Impact Challenge
Photo: Hilda Weges, Adobe Stock
