POM Limburg actively contributes to building regional value chains for the bio-economy
Embuild Vlaanderen, the industry association representing the Flemish construction sector, launched the Bio-Circular Construction Charter in collaboration with research and innovation centre Buildwise. The charter was signed in the presence of Flemish Minister Jo Brouns. The first building blocks of this initiative were laid during the Biobased Construction Inspiration Day in May 2024, organised by POM Limburg. POM Limburg also signed the charter, alongside some 150 other organisations committed to promoting the use of bio-circular materials in construction.
The construction sector is among the most polluting industries, responsible for enormous volumes of waste and a significant ecological footprint. At the same time, profitability in the sector is increasingly under pressure, with shrinking or even negative margins. A transition towards a more digital and circular construction sector is therefore urgently needed.
Bio-Circular Construction Charter
The ambition is that, within five years, one in five new homes in Flanders will be built using bio-circular materials. By 2050, such materials should become the standard. Bio-circular materials are renewable, reusable, and energy-efficient in production. They help reduce CO₂ emissions and retain a high residual value. Examples include materials made from wood, flax, straw, cellulose fibres, wood wool, cork, and hemp-lime. These materials are not only environmentally friendly, but also improve indoor climate quality for building users. The charter also encourages innovation and creates new opportunities for agriculture and sustainable construction.
“The transition to a circular and climate-friendly economy offers tremendous opportunities for innovation and economic growth,” said Minister Jo Brouns. “This charter contributes to that shift by promoting more sustainable building materials and smarter production methods. It creates new market outlets for farmers and ensures that construction materials are ecologically responsible. A forward-looking construction sector must invest in renewable, biobased materials and more efficient resource use.”
Biobased Limburg Think Tank
The first building blocks of the initiative were laid during the Biobased Construction Inspiration Day in May 2024, organised by POM Limburg. Since then, the province’s economic development agency has taken a leading role in advancing the biobased economy. Through the Biobased Limburg Think Tank, POM Limburg brings together various stakeholders to foster collaboration and innovation. The focus lies on developing new regional value chains — from biomass to applications in construction and plastics — as well as shared infrastructure such as biomass and materials hubs.
