At the Marineterrein test site in Amsterdam, NPSP is conducting applied material research into the next generation of biobased façade panels made from the sustainable Nabasco material.
Building on years of experience with biocomposites in real-world projects, we are now testing under realistic outdoor conditions how we can develop a fully biobased and fire-retardant façade system that meets the needs of architects, builders, and developers.
This is not a lab experiment, but a real-life test setup, where we observe how façade panels and coatings perform under the influence of sun, wind, and rain. Our goal is to develop building materials that are sustainable and immediately applicable in both new construction and renovation projects.
We are testing:
Color retention and weathering due to sun, rain, and wind
Adhesion and performance of innovative coatings (mostly biobased)
Behavior of fungus-based protective layers
Comparison between standard and fire-retardant biobased materials
These insights directly support the development of certified, circular façade systems ready for practical application in the construction industry.
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material | Nabasco biocomposite (standard + fire-retardant formulation) |
| Number of coatings | 10 variants from various suppliers |
| Coating types | Biobased, natural, fungus-based |
| Colors | White (RAL9010), Green (RAL6002), Transparent |
| Monitoring | Visual inspection, color measurement, aging behavior |
The data gathered from this test will inform ongoing product development and facilitate dialogue with designers, manufacturers, and regulatory bodies.
Are you working on circular construction, façade design, or material innovation? Or are you curious how to apply biobased façades in practice?
A detailed overview of the measured results from this test setup will be published here soon.