Paludi & Building
Promotion of bio-based construction materials through wet cultivation
The Interreg VIa project Paludi & Bau addresses the ecological and infrastructural challenges arising from the degradation of peatlands in the Netherlands and Germany. Peat oxidation caused by drainage leads to significant CO₂ emissions and soil subsidence, threatening water management systems, infrastructure, and climate goals. By promoting paludiculture – the cultivation of wetland-adapted plants such as Typha (cattail) – the project prevents peat decomposition, enhances biodiversity, and simultaneously creates renewable raw materials for the construction sector.
Paludi & Bau focuses on the development of bio-based insulation and panel materials for construction, produced from peatland biomass and refined with mycelium-based binders. The products are intended for use in buildings below the fire safety classification threshold—particularly in one- or two-story houses. Buildings with more than two stories are subject to stricter fire safety regulations, which are beyond the scope of the project. The project covers the entire innovation chain from raw material to market readiness: it defines technical requirements based on real construction needs, produces functional prototypes, and tests them for load-bearing capacity, moisture behavior, and fire safety classification.
Furthermore, the project establishes a cross-border production and distribution network, involving agricultural producers, material processors, component manufacturers, architects, construction companies, and end-users. This regional value chain aims to reduce CO₂ emissions, strengthen local economic cycles, and enable decentralized, climate-adapted construction practices. Knowledge and technology transfer are central to the project, ensuring that results are integrated into planning authorities, building regulations, and industry partnerships in both countries.
At the core of the regulatory and sustainability assessment is Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences (TH OWL). Leveraging its expertise in life cycle assessment (LCA), TH OWL ensures that the developed materials comply with relevant construction standards and environmental criteria in Germany and the Netherlands. By conducting eco-balance evaluations based on national certification systems, TH OWL supports the integration of paludiculture-based materials into sustainable construction practices.
Paludi & Bau is funded under the Interreg VIa Germany–Netherlands Program, which promotes cross-border cooperation to advance innovation and ecological sustainability in Europe. The initiative is co-financed by the European Union, with contributions from the German federal states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, and the provinces of Groningen, Drenthe, and Fryslân. The project is coordinated by TCNN and brings together a diverse consortium of authorities, research institutions, SMEs, large companies, and regional network partners.
Project Members
Prof. and Project Leader
Jens-Uwe Schulz
jens-uwe.schulz@th.owl.de
Scientific Staff & Project Management
Thomaz da Silva Lopes Vieira
thomaz.da@th-owl.de
Administrative Coordination
Sandra Bomholt
sandra.bomholt@th-owl.de
Project Information
Project Funding: €2,291,916.20
Priority: A Greener Program Area
Project Duration: 01.09.2024 – 01.09.2027
Lead Project Partner:
Stichting TechnologieCentrum Noord-Nederland
