European natural fibers emerge in bio-based architectural projects

Natural fibers on display in the Natural Fiber Pavilion at JEC World 2025. Source | Alliance for European Flax Linen & Hemp

The Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp (Paris, France) highlights a growing wave of innovative architectural and civil engineering applications featuring flax and hemp fibers. As the global construction industry turns toward sustainable solutions, the organization is seeing flax and hemp emerging as high-performance, low-impact alternatives for a new generation of bio-based architecture.

For instance, 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 (Germany) ITECH Research Pavilion 2024 program in Germany. Two lightweight structures have been created using filament-wound flax fibers, demonstrating the material’s strength and design flexibility.

The main pavilion, a semi-permanent structure, features 20 flax fiber roof beams, crafted from Terre de Lin’s (Saint-Pierre-le-Viger, France) 100 Tex rovings and industrially processed by HA-CO Carbon GmbH (Wallerstein, Germany). A second, smaller pavilion incorporates co-wound wood and Safilin’s (Sailly-sur-la-Lys, France) 200 Tex flax fibers in its columns and roof structure. Both projects highlight coreless robotic winding technologies and deliver striking examples of sustainable construction methods.

Flax is also proving its value in cladding and façade systems. French manufacturer Temca (Xertigny, France) recently completed 880 lightweight shading panels using Bcomp’s (Fribourg, Switzerland) ampliTex flax fiber material for the Cité Scolaire Internationale Jacques Chirac business school in Marseille. Designed by architects Rudy Ricciotti and Roland Carta for Bouygues Bâtiment Sud-Est, the system uses RTM-molded ampliTex combined with UV-resistant gelcoat and fire-rated resin, providing a nature-inspired, energy-efficient solution with reduced weight and hardware requirements compared to traditional materials.

Meanwhile, Dutch composite innovator NPSP (Delft) continues its work integrating bio-based materials in public infrastructure. In collaboration with Alliance member Procotex  (Plouay, France) and material partner Nabasco, NPSP has delivered 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 high fire safety standards, paving the way for bio-based façades in modern urban design.

Recyclable molded composites company Demgy (Saint-Aubin-sur-Gaillon, France) has partnered with green roof experts Plantika (Vienna, Austria) 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 fibers,” says Bruno Pech, innovation project manager.

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