Bio-based insulating materials for residential buildings in Bavaria (BioDämm)

To achieve the climate targets, the building stock must also become climate-neutral. This requires ambitious energy standards for new buildings and a significant increase in energy-related renovation work on existing buildings. The materials used are also of crucial importance. Bio-based insulating materials are an important building material in this respect. Through their increased use, the energy standard of buildings can be improved, and a contribution to implementing the goals of the Bavarian Climate Protection Program 2050 can be achieved. At the same time also a reduction of the consumption of fossil raw materials, a contribution to environmental and resources protection as well as to healthy living can be obtained.

However, conventional insulating materials have been the main choice for insulating buildings in Germany to date, while bio-based insulating materials still play a minor role. In addition, the market shares of bio-based insulating materials could hardly be increased so far throughout Germany, although they are equal to conventional insulating materials concerning technical properties, show ecological advantages and contribute to healthy living. Despite the higher costs in some cases, however, some consumer studies in Germany show positive attitudes toward these insulating materials among private individuals and a basic willingness to use them. In contrast, research suggests that the low market penetration is partly due to the lack of willingness of various other players in the construction industry to install bio-based insulating materials, or their insufficient level of knowledge about it. One possibility to bring biobased insulating materials further into the market is their financial promotion. Since the use of bio-based insulating materials is not promoted at federal and state level (Bavaria) at present, municipalities can provide special incentives here. This possibility is also used by various municipalities in Germany, e.g. to better achieve their own climate targets.

With this in mind, the project aims to investigate the status quo of using bio-based insulation materials in private residential buildings in Bavaria. The project addresses different economic and social actors, namely private homeowners and builders, actors in the construction industry as well as the role of municipalities.

Specifically, the project results will be used to answer the following questions:

1. To what extent are biobased insulation materials used in Bavaria in residential buildings and specifically in municipalities with municipal support of biobased insulation materials?

2. What are the current interest and acceptance of biobased insulation materials among private homeowners, builders and relevant actors in the construction industry in regions with and without municipal funding in Bavaria?

3. What factors inhibit and promote an increased use of bio-based insulation materials in residential buildings in Bavaria?

4. Can municipal support programs increase the use of biobased insulation materials in private residential buildings, and how must the programs be designed to lead to increased use of these materials?