Biobased building and design use products and materials made from renewable biological resources, such as wood, hemp, flax, straw or mycelium, instead of fossil or mineral sources. Biobased materials grow with natural systems and store CO2 during growth, with part of that carbon remaining stored in the product during use. In construction and product design, biobased choices can lower environmental impact and support circular, regenerative choices. Biobased is therefore more than a material choice: it is a way of using resources that can renew themselves.
What makes a material biobased?
A material is biobased when it is wholly or largely derived from living, renewable sources. Common examples include:
- Wood and wood fibres — for structures, façades and panel materials.
- Fibre crops — such as hemp, flax and straw for insulation and composites.
- Mycelium and biopolymers — for packaging, panels and new product applications.
Why biobased materials help
Biobased materials can replace resources with high environmental impact and store carbon while in use. In construction, they can reduce MPG scores and improve the environmental performance of a building. They are also renewable, which reduces pressure on finite resources.
Biobased, circular and regenerative
Biobased choices fit high on the R-ladder and connect to regenerative design: materials that grow with natural systems and can contribute to restoration rather than depletion. The largest gains occur when biobased choices are made in the design phase.
Points of attention for biobased materials
Biobased is not automatically better. Sourcing must be sustainable, land use must be responsible and end-of-life routes must be well organised. Only a life-cycle assessment shows whether a biobased choice has lower impact in practice.
How New Economy applies biobased choices
New Economy substantiates biobased choices with footprint and life-cycle data and translates them into concrete designs, including through the Biobased Design trajectory. See also Product Footprint.
Frequently asked questions about biobased building and design
Biobased means that a product or material is made from renewable biological resources such as wood, hemp, flax, straw or mycelium.
Biobased materials can store CO₂ during growth, replace high-impact resources and come from renewable sources. A life-cycle assessment confirms the actual impact per case.
No. Biobased describes the origin of a material. Biodegradable describes what happens at end of life. A material can be one without being the other.
Often yes. Biobased materials that store CO₂ and come from renewable sources can improve building environmental performance when sourcing and end of life are well managed.
Not automatically. Sustainable sourcing, responsible land use and a well-managed end of life determine whether a biobased choice performs better.
For biobased materials in a building or product, see Regenerative design or Product Footprint, or use the contact page to explore next steps.