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#Sustainability

Groundbreaking architectural projects using natural fibres

Paris, May 19 2025 : The Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp is proud to spotlight a growing wave of innovative architectural and civil engineering applications featuring flax and hemp fibres. As the global construction industry turns toward sustainable solutions, flax and hemp are emerging as high-performance, low-impact alternatives for a new generation of bio-based architecture.

Pioneering Structural Applications

For the first time, flax is stepping beyond interior and insulation use to form key structural elements in buildings. At the forefront of this transformation is the University of Stuttgart’s ITECH Research Pavilion 2024 program in Germany. Two extraordinary lightweight structures have been created using filament-wound flax fibres, demonstrating the material’s strength and design flexibility. The main pavilion, a semi-permanent structure, features 20 flax fibre roof beams, crafted from Terre de Lin’s 100 Tex rovings and industrially processed by HA-CO Carbon GmbH. A second, smaller pavilion incorporates co-wound wood and Safilin’s 200 Tex flax fibres in its columns and roof structure. Both projects highlight coreless robotic winding technologies and deliver striking examples of sustainable construction methods.

Sustainable Façade Innovation

Flax is also proving its value in cladding and façade systems. French manufacturer Temca recently completed 880 lightweight shading panels using Bcomp’s ampliTex™ flax fibre material for the Cité Scolaire Internationale Jacques Chirac business school in Marseille. Designed by renowned architects Rudy Ricciotti and Roland Carta for Bouygues Bâtiment Sud-Est, the system uses RTM-moulded ampliTex™ combined with UV-resistant gelcoat and fire-rated resin, providing a nature-inspired, energy-efficient solution with drastically reduced weight and hardware requirements compared to traditional materials. Meanwhile, Dutch composite innovator NPSP continues its work integrating bio-based materials in public infrastructure. In collaboration with Alliance member Procotex and material partner Nabasco, NPSP has delivered striking façades across Europe, including the vibrant green cladding of Amsterdam’s NEMO Science Museum, designed by Renzo Piano. Nabasco® Natural panels offer both design freedom and top fire safety standards, paving the way for bio-based façades in modern urban design.

Civil Engineering and Urban Greening

DEMGY, a leader in recyclable moulded composites, has partnered with green roof experts PLANTIKA to introduce FLAXCOMP® sandwich base panels for rooftop garden modules. Replacing aluminum with perforated flax composites, the solution enhances water drainage and aeration while reducing environmental impact. If successful, the trial may lead to full flax composite construction in future urban greening projects, marking a critical advance toward circular building solutions.

“These projects reflect the growing ambition of our industry to deliver carbon-smart, beautiful, and high-performing structures using natural European fibres,” said Bruno Pech, Innovation Project Manager.

The Alliance for European Flax Linen and Hemp continues to support its members and partners in advancing bio-based innovation across architecture and civil engineering.


More News from Alliance of European Flax-Linen & Hemp

#Composites

Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp expands bio-materials presence at JEC World 2026

The Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp is pleased to announce its participation at JEC World 2026, featuring a significantly expanded presence and an enhanced offering for the global composites industry.

#Natural Fibers

Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp expands technical capabilities with addition of CIRCULAR STRUCTURES

The Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp is pleased to welcome CIRCULAR STRUCTURES, a Bremen-based platform for sustainable material development and product incubation, to its Technical Section. This addition further enhances the Alliance’s mission to accelerate the industrial adoption of European-grown flax and hemp fibres in high-performance composite applications.

#Composites

Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp host Natural Fibre Composites Village at JEC World 2025

The Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp will host a Natural Fibre Village at JEC World 2025 that will showcase the activities of the Alliance and nine of its members in a 250m2 area dedicated to natural fibre composites. Partnering with the JEC Group, the Alliance will lead the European flax and hemp industry exhibit where Bcomp, Demgy, Depestele, Eco-Technilin, Flipts en Dobbels, Libeco, Norafin, Safilin and Terre de Lin and, for the first time, Linificio e Canapificio Nazionale SRL, will all exhibit a wide range of flax and hemp raw materials and composite products.

#Natural Fibers

2025 is the year of acceleration for Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp

The reference agro-industrial organisation for the sector, is accelerating its sustainable transformation trajectory.

More News on Sustainability

#Sustainability

A new standard to combat plastic waste in forests

With DIN SPEC 35808 “Tree Shelter for Forestry Applications,” the testing and research service provider Hohenstein, in collaboration with Rottenburg University of Forestry, as well as forestry authorities and industry partners, has established a clear framework for bio-based and fully biodegradable tree shelters. The pre-standard defines requirements and practical testing methods designed to reduce plastic waste in forests and strengthen the long-term protection of soil and the environment.

#Denim

Denim moves towards sustainability

EIM (Environmental Impact Measurement), the global reference platform for measuring the environmental impact of garment finishing, presents the second edition of its annual report Denim Industry Progress & Insights 2025. The study analyses over 100,000 real denim finishing processes, providing an accurate and up-to-date view of the industry’s evolution towards more sustainable models.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Europe’s textile future at a turning point: New 2030 Circularity Blueprint aims to scale recycling and unlock investment opportunities

The EU textile system is at a critical crossroads. Today, less than 1% of discarded garments are recycled into new garments, despite EU-wide obligations for separate collection. In response, Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) is launching the 2030 Circularity Blueprint, in partnership with ReHubs. This ambitious initiative is designed to support the transformation of the EU textile ecosystem to advance textile-to-textile recycling and drive the transition to a circular economy.

#Sustainability

Number of GOTS-certified facilities grow 15% globally as demand for credible sustainability standards continues to strengthen

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification continued to grow in 2025, with nearly 18,000 certified facilities worldwide, despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and rapidly evolving regulatory requirements across global textile supply chains.

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#INDEX 2026

“We clearly see that reliability, flexibility, service and total cost of ownership are becoming increasingly important again.”

The nonwovens industry continues to face a challenging market environment. Nevertheless, AUTEFA Solutions reports successful projects, new line sales and growing demand for energy-efficient and flexible solutions. In this interview, André Imhof of AUTEFA Solutions talks about competitiveness against Chinese suppliers, new service and recycling concepts, the growing importance of application development and the opportunities created by countercyclical investments.

#INDEX 2026

“Needle punching technology is more universal and sustainable than ever!”

Needle punching technology was long regarded as a rather traditional and comparatively slow technology within the nonwovens industry. In this interview, Johann Philipp Dilo explains why needle punching is more relevant than ever today – ranging from energy efficiency and resource conservation to hygiene applications, new machine concepts and design-oriented nonwoven solutions.

#Research & Development

Textile climate control system in workwear – exhibition at the 2026 SME Innovation Day!

Conventional protective workwear often reaches its limits during strenuous physical activity. In particular, the transport of sweat and excess body heat poses a problem. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research (DITF) conducted research on flow-optimized, air-conducting textile structures that enable targeted climate control directly on the body. These structures can be integrated straight into protective work garments. The textile climate control system supports the body’s natural thermoregulation. This contributes to improved workplace safety and comfort.

#Nonwovens

PET spunbond from China – EDANA welcomes imposition of provisional anti-dumping measures

On 13 May 2026, after eight months of investigation, the European Commission imposed provisional anti-dumping duties of 45.6-50.0% on imports of PET spunbond from China. EDANA welcomes this expression of the Commission’s clear determination to protect EU industries from the unfair trade practices of Chinese producers.

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