Biobased materials
[edit] Introduction
Biobased is a loose term that describes an organic material or product that contains in whole or in part biogenic (from biological sources) carbon. It refers to materials that derive from living matter and may be used interchangeably with 'biogenic' to describe the same, though the former may only describe the base material rather than the whole. Biomaterials on the other hand have come to have a specific meaning which relates to synthetic, bio-based or natural biomaterials in contact with biological systems such as cells or tissues, these must be biocompatible.
Bio (carbon) content is based on the amount of biogenic carbon present, and defined as the amount of bio carbon in the material or product as a fraction of weight (mass) or percent weight (mass) of the total organic carbon (BS EN 16785-2:2018 or ASTM D6866).
% bio or biobased (carbon) content = Bio (organic) carbon/total (organic carbon) * 100
[edit] Biogenic carbon cycle
Although fossil fuels, such as coal, derive from organic matter from millions of years ago locked in the ground, they are no longer part of the biogenic carbon cycle and therefore non-biogenic. Biogenic materials operate within the bioenergy system, so for example the burning of biomass returns to the atmosphere the carbon that was absorbed as the plants grew and can be replenished by new plants, whereas the burning of coal cannot because of the rate of sequestration.
The IPCC distinguishes between the slow domain of the carbon cycle, which has a turnover beyond 10,000 years, and the fast domain (the atmosphere, ocean, vegetation and soil), which has turnover times of 1– 100 and 10– 500 years, respectively. Fossil fuel use transfers carbon from the slow domain to the fast domain, while bioenergy systems operate within the fast domain. (source: National Council for Air and Stream Improvement)
It is important to note that the use of any material in a building that contains sequestered carbon (coal included) might be seen as a way to stop it being burned and therefore keeping the carbon locked in.
There are a growing number of articles relating to bio-based materials on Designing Buildings, some of which are listed below.
- Apple wood
- Ash wood
- Biogenic carbon
- Bamboo
- Biomass
- Biomaterial
- Cork flooring
- Glulam
- Graphene
- Hempcrete
- Hemp board
- Laminated veneer lumber LVL
- Mycelium
- Plywood
- Straw bale construction
- Tradical Hemcrete
- Types of rapidly renewable content
- Wattle and daub
- Lime wood
- Linoleum
- Mycelium
- Natural materials
- Oak wood properties
- Oriented Strand Board OSB
- Pine wood
- Softwood
- Straw bale construction
- Sweet chestnut
- Thatch roofing
- The Properties of Cedar Wood
- The Properties of Cherry Wood
- The Properties of Tulipwood
- The Properties of Walnut
- The use of timber in construction
- The use of wood in construction
- Types of timber
- Uses of wood ash
Featured articles and news
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation which closes 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.