ECÔFUNC
Context
ECOFUNC is a pioneering initiative dedicated to developing eco-friendly, circular building materials 100% made in EU and derived from carbon-negative polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) produced by microorganisms utilizing CO2 as feedstock. These natural and fully biodegradable materials represent an innovative solution for sustainable construction. Additionally, ECOFUNC aims to develop recycling methods to repurpose these materials for use in the furniture and automotive industries.
The building and construction industry is one of the largest global economic sectors, valued at $5.4 trillion in 2021 and projected to grow to $11.1 trillion by 2031. However, it is also a major contributor to environmental degradation, responsible for significant energy consumption, carbon emissions, resource depletion, and solid waste generation.
Objectives
ECOFUNC aims to address these challenges by advancing the use of carbon-negative polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs)—biopolymers produced by microorganisms using CO₂ as a feedstock. This innovation offers a promising pathway to reduce the environmental footprint of the construction sector.
ECOFUNC will establish the first EU-based circular value chains for PHA-based applications in:
- Ventilated façade cladding
- Ceiling tiles
- Internal partition walls
These applications will be enabled through the development of recyclable PHA-based panels, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional, fossil-based, and non-recyclable materials.
Material Innovation
The project will enhance panel performance by integrating:
- Bio-based flame retardants
- Natural fibers
- PHA foams
The goal is to achieve a global warming potential (GWP) below 0.5 kg CO₂-eq/m² and reduce life cycle costs by up to 20%.
ECOFUNC is guided by key sustainability frameworks, including Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) and Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) principles. The project is driven by a multidisciplinary consortium of industrial and academic partners with expertise in PHAs, fiber processing, panel manufacturing, and product validation.
Circularity and Broader Impact
ECOFUNC will develop:
- 11 innovative technologies
- 10 circular value chains
End-of-life strategies will include:
- Chemical recycling to regenerate virgin-grade PHA
- Mechanical recycling for reuse in applications such as furniture and automotive components
As a spillover activity, the project will also explore the use of PHA-based panels in the automotive sector, further expanding the impact of its innovations.
Centexbel's role in the project
- As leader of Work Package 2, we are spearheading the development of an optimized melt spinning process for PHA polymers at a semi-industrial scale. This process aims to produce both continuous and short fibers tailored for woven and nonwoven textile applications.
- In parallel, we will explore the potential of bicomponent fibers composed of high- and low-melting-point PHBV in a core-sheath configuration. These innovative fibers are designed for transformation into self-reinforced composites (SRC) through coextruded fiber stacking techniques.
- Furthermore, we will be contributing to the formulation of an environmentally friendly flame retardant (FR) system, intended for integration into SRCs and core panel solutions.
Consortium
The project is carried out by a consortium of 18 partners from 10 different countries.
Project manager: VTT (Finland)
