EU Research Consultation on “Which Materials for Sustainable Construction?”

The European Commissions Directorate-General for Research and Innovation is conducting a survey on sustainable constructions materials. The intention is to develop a research and innovation roadmap that identifies and prioritises research and innovation needed for “new advanced materials meeting the challenges and the new legislation for sustainable and competitive construction, and to propose solutions to overcome barriers to exploitation and deployment of research results for materials in the construction industry.”

The questions are mainly based on where to focus research, but include:

•    What are the major obstacles to the development of new materials in the construction industry? How to overcome these obstacles?
•    What are the major obstacles to the commercialisation of new materials/products (regulations, standards, system integration…)? How to overcome these obstacles?
•    Is financing an issue (for development and/or commercialisation)? If yes, what would you suggest to improve the situation?
•    Is more legislation or policy needed? If yes, on which topics?
•    Who are the main actors playing a role in implementing materials innovation in construction? Public authorities? Major contractors? Others? Who should be more involved along the innovation chain?

BWF is keen to emphasise research opportunities that encourage use of existing sustainable materials, enabling accessibility for further data from products (for example addressing issues with SMEs easily providing LCA data), and looking at how embodied carbon should be incorporated. The survey also touches on product innovation.

The official deadline for comments is 7th September 2014, though has been extended for Construction Products Association members until the end of September. For further information contact matthew.mahony@bwf.org.uk

You can log-in below to respond to the survey.