EcoSys2Build: Development of sustainable insulation materials for building systems

EcoSys2Build (Development of sustainable insulation materials for building systems) is a research and development (R&D) project that aims to develop sustainable insulation materials and solutions for building systems, namely roofs and facades, with a lower carbon footprint than conventional solutions.

The project favours renewable and bio-based raw materials, and the recovery of waste as a source of resources. By developing new formulations, production processes and ecodesign strategies, it seeks solutions that combine thermal performance, environmental sustainability and competitiveness, while also assessing their industrial feasibility and how well they integrate into building systems.

EcoSys2Build is an R&D initiative focused on innovation and sustainability in the building materials sector, aiming to contribute to insulation solutions with a lower environmental impact and competitive performance.

EcoSys2Build is led by J. Prudêncio, Lda., with the following partners:

• PAINEL 2000, Inovação de Painéis, Lda.
• CeNTI, Centre for Nanotechnology and Smart Materials
• ISEP, School of Engineering of the Polytechnic of Porto
• Itecons, Institute for Research and Technological Development in Construction, Energy, Environment and Sustainability

The partnership aims to develop innovative insulation materials and systems, contributing to more sustainable building solutions.

PAINEL 2000’s participation in EcoSys2Build is part of its strategy of innovation and development of high-performance building solutions.

As a company specialised in developing and manufacturing sandwich panels, PAINEL 2000 contributes its technological experience and knowledge of industrial processes, bringing research into new materials closer to the requirements of industrial production.

Its aim is to help develop more sustainable building solutions that reduce environmental impact while meeting the technical and functional requirements of the construction sector.

The project runs for 36 months and comprises five main activities:

1. A1

   Technical project management

   Coordination, planning and monitoring of project activities, covering technical and scientific, financial and organisational aspects.

2. A2

   Specifications, preliminary studies and technology watch

   Definition of technical requirements, state-of-the-art review, selection and characterisation of materials, and monitoring of relevant technological developments.

3. A3

   Research and development of insulation materials and systems

   Development and study of raw materials, formulations and production processes, including experimental testing and proofs of concept.

4. A4

   Implementation and validation of the insulation systems

   Prototype development, integration of the solutions in a production setting, and assessment of their technical, environmental and economic performance.

5. A5

   Dissemination and exploitation of results

   Dissemination of project results, promotion of knowledge transfer and assessment of the potential for technological exploitation.

The main expected result is a sustainable thermal insulation system based on eco-foam, aiming to achieve:

• A lower carbon footprint than conventional solutions;
• Competitive thermal performance;
• Integration of bio-based, recycled or waste-derived materials;
• Sustainability-oriented production processes and ecodesign strategies;
• Integration of the new materials into industrially producible building solutions, taking into account technical performance, processability and environmental sustainability.