GSS EU Science Funding Gateway

Proposals under this topic should:

• Demonstrate bio-based products with tailored functional properties for large-scale applications in construction and renovation of buildings. Products in scope are functional elements such as (but not limited to) acoustic and thermal insulation panels, façade elements, interior fittings, foams, membranes, door structures, window frames. Examples of target functionalities include durability; fire retardancy; water barrier, moisture transfer, antimicrobial, antifungal/mould prevention, corrosion prevention among others. While the primary focus should be on construction and building products, proposals can also consider replication of the developed solutions in other large market sectors such as transport and furniture among others.
• Assess the compatibility of the innovative solutions developed with the built environment in terms of materials and of planning, construction, maintenance, renovation and/or demolition practices. Assess the compliance of products with the relevant regulatory framework and provide recommendations to overcome any identified bottleneck. Perform field trials of the newly developed materials and products involving end users (assessment, training and awareness raising). When applicable, test the compatibility with other components relevant to the final application.
• Ensure health and safety requirements of workers and end users/consumers are met, including indoor air quality benefits when applicable.
• Demonstrate improved environmental profiles compared to conventional (fossil or bio-based) materials in the production, use phase and end of life (including disassembly for easier recycling where applicable, reduction of waste and sustainable waste management).
• Demonstrate sustainable and resource efficient production routes.
• Include a task to integrate assessment based on the safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD) framework, developed by the European Commission, for assessing the safety and sustainability of chemicals and materials. Under this context, projects are expected to contribute with and develop recommendations that can advance further the application of the SSbD framework.