Increasing requirements of raw materials and substantial consumption of resources in the construction industry have posed a risk on the function of the ecological system, biodiversity, possibly livelihood of the local economy.

In this context, the REBUMAT project focuses on “resource-efficient construction with sustainable building materials” in a tropical climate and builds up research networks and future research activities in the following areas:

(1) Bio-based building materials

In this area, the project studies bio-based materials, e.g., from agricultural residues, fast-growing plants, and plants of remediation, protection & conversion areas. Examples of this are using Typha for wall-forming construction products, rice straw as an aggregate, organic ash as a binder, and straw bales as building material. The application of bio-based building materials can contribute to climate protection by reducing the consumption of resources via replacing mineral building materials and sequestering CO₂ emissions.

(2) Recycled building materials 

In this area, the project studies recycled building materials with respect to market conditions to tackle the following challenges and requirements. More specifically, challenges in sustainable circular management of mineral building materials are constraints of material technique, process engineering, economic resources, and lack of market acceptance in Germany and Vietnam. Furthermore, there are relevant climate requirements of building materials such as hygrothermal behavior, frost resistance, and quality of available regained materials.

(3) Resource-efficient and recyclable building systems 

In this area, the project studies the use of primary raw materials in a sustainable manner of the construction practice. Accordingly, resources will be conserved and “future circular management is technically and economically possible”. Particularly, construction systems are designed to promote maximal reuse of materials. Additionally, the durability and adaptability of construction systems enhance resources efficiency, especially under the demanding conditions of tropical climate in Vietnam.

The project has 10 work packages as follows:

Source of figure: https://rebumat.de/

The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) under the CONNECT program “CONNECT Education-Research-Innovation”.

Source & further information: “REBUMAT German-Vietnamese cooperative project on resource-efficient building using sustainable building materials” at https://rebumat.de/