When we talk about eco-friendly materials or eco-materials, we often hear the terms "bio-based," "eco-based," "geo-based," and "biodegradable." But what is the difference between these terms? Here is a quick and clear summary to help you differentiate between these terms and avoid confusion!
Bio-based, eco-based, geo-based, biodegradable: what's the difference?
1. Bio-based material
A bio-based material is a material that is partially or entirely derived from biomass. This means that part of its raw material is natural AND renewable. These raw materials used in construction, known as bioresources, come from three main sectors:forestry,agriculture, andrecycling (or the recycling of bio-based materials themselves). Bio-based materials can be insulators: wood fiber, hemp wool, straw, cork, cellulose insulation ., but also bio-based (or plant-based) concretes such as wood concrete and hemp concrete. The natural aspect is inseparable from the aspect of renewability in identifying a bio-based material. Indeed, although sand is a natural resource, it is not renewable. Once the resource is exhausted, it will no longer be possible to obtain it.
The European terminology standardNF-EN 16575defines a bio-based product as being "wholly or partly derived from bioresources." Consequently,a product that contains only 1% bio-based material is considered bio-based according to this definition. The "Bio-based Product"label was therefore created todistinguish bio-based materials containing a significant proportion of biomass by certifying their bio-based raw material content. A minimum threshold for bio-based material content is set for each product family, based on what is currently available on the market (for example, it is set at 70% for insulation materials and 25% for plant-based concrete).
2. Eco-sourced material
An eco-sourced material is defined as a material whose raw material comes from recycling. For example, cellulose insulation made from recycled paper is an eco-sourced material. Recycled cotton insulation is also eco-sourced.
3. Geosourced material
A geosourced material is defined as a material whose raw material is of mineral origin. The most common geosourced materials are raw earth and stone. These materials can have a low carbon footprint if they are minimally processed or unprocessed, and if they are sourced locally. No mineral can be considered renewable on the timescale under consideration. A geosourced material is not derived from biomass and is therefore not a bio-based material.
4. Biodegradable material
The term biodegradable refers to a material that can be broken down by living organisms. For example, straw, cork, and bamboo are biodegradable materials used in construction.
Eco-materials
In the case of eco-friendly building materials (or eco-materials), there are many bio-based materials: wood fiber, hemp, straw, cotton, linen, cork, cellulose insulation . These are the most commonly used materials in construction, particularly with the introduction of RE2020, whose energy performance, environmental, and summer comfort criteria make the use of these materials inevitable. It should be noted, however, that bio-based materials are not necessarily all eco-sourced, geo-sourced, and/or biodegradable, which are additional specific characteristics.
Some materials are bio-based and eco-friendly, such as cellulose insulation made from recycled paper, which is itself made from wood).
Other materials are geo-sourced and bio-sourced materials such as raw earth bricks (bricks are made from clay, a natural and renewable mineral material).
On the other hand, biodegradable materials are rarer due to the binders and/or additives added to the final product to give it a specific shape (e.g., panels) or characteristics (fire resistance).
Finally, there is a minority of materials that are bio-based, eco-sourced, and biodegradable.
While the difference between the terms bio-based, eco-based, geo-based, and biodegradable is subtle, it is not uncommon for them to be used incorrectly when talking about eco-materials. Indeed, there are now many ways in which construction materials can be made more environmentally friendly: their raw materials, their supply chain, and even their end of life. While the best choice remains the use of materials that combine all four of these aspects, those that meet one or more of these criteria are already a first step away from conventional materials that deplete fossil resources.
