PROJECTS

Framework

The construction sector makes a significant contribution to the carbon emissions generated. According to the 2023 report by the United Nations Environmental Programme for Buildings and Construction, construction is responsible for around 27% of CO2 emissions, demonstrating the urgent need to reduce this negative impact. Of the materials most commonly used for thermal insulation in building systems, a significant majority are based on fossil materials, namely synthetic foams made from expanded polymers such as polyurethane or polystyrene. To minimise the ecological footprint associated with these materials, over the last few years solutions for insulation systems have appeared on the market that aim to replace some fossil-based components with bio-based equivalents or even integrate waste, by-products and/or recycled material into their composition.

Objectives

The Ecosys2Build project aims to develop a new line of eco-sustainable products with a better carbon footprint than current solutions with improved insulation properties, as well as combining these foams in insulation systems for façade and/or roof construction applications. The focus will be on raw materials from renewable and/or bio-based sources, as well as the use of waste as raw material sources, using production technologies and eco-design strategies.

Project activities and expected results

The Ecosys2Build project is expected to be completed in 36 months and the work is planned to take place according to the following structure:

A1 - Technical project management

This activity is intended to monitor the progress of the project and aims to coordinate, plan and manage the project's financial, technical-scient

A2 - Specifications, preliminary studies and technological surveillance

This industrial research activity aims to define the project's working guidelines. It consists of three tasks aimed at the technical and technological specification of materials, raw materials and technologies for the design of new sustainable raw materials and the insulation system, as well as technological surveillance at key points in the sectors and markets that will be studied in the project.

A3 - Research and development in insulation materials and systems

This industrial research activity, comprising three complementary tasks, aims to develop proofs of concept and foam solutions that can be integrated into insulation systems, as well as study new materials and systems with improved environmental characteristics, with a view to building and validating insulation systems. This activity will simultaneously explore three types of sustainable foams - (1) the development of biobased PU thermo-rigid foams, (2) the development of thermoplastic foams from bio-based polymers and (3) the development of cellulose-based foams. The most promising solutions will be matured as part of the implementation and validation of insulation systems in Activity 4.

A4 - Implementation and validation of insulation systems

This experimental development activity, comprising four tasks, aims to use the developments and proofs of concept from Activity 3 and implement them in the production cycle of business organisations. This integration aims to mature the solutions and build innovative and environmentally favourable products, processes or systems that can leverage the portfolio of these entities. The aim is also to build prototype(s) and validate them according to criteria defined based on their final application.

A5 - Dissemination and valorisation of results

The main objective of Activity 5, is to disseminate the results of the project and encourage, on the one hand, the identification of new opportunities for scientific collaboration with ENESII in fields of study covered by the project (and consistent with the national specialisation strategy) and, on the other hand, greater knowledge of the potential of the new technological processes in the field of the production of insulation systems with ecological and sustainable credentials by the business community. Likewise, the aim is to disseminate the results to the civil community, bringing science closer to society and raising awareness among society to value ‘made in Portugal’ innovation in decision-making processes. The aim is also to assess the degree of innovation and the potential for exploiting the intellectual and industrial property of the results obtained.

FICHA DE OPERAÇÃO