SUSTAINABILITY
and function,” says Schwarze. “It performs best in low-light or ambient spaces, such as hospitality lobbies, lounges and corridors, enhancing way-finding and atmosphere.” There are no mainstream commercial products yet aimed at regular construction supply-chains and the product remains in the research and development phase, but if commercialised at scale bioluminescent wood could offer energy savings, sustainability advantages, the aforementioned biophilic benefits and design innovation making it attractive for UK builders and end users focused on low-carbon, health-oriented and visually distinctive buildings.
in summer, an increasingly important consideration as UK buildings adapt to rising temperatures. “In carbon terms, replacing conventional mineral wool with Myceen insulation in an average timber-frame house can reduce embodied carbon by around 20%, which is increasingly relevant for both regulation and procurement decisions,” says Karro.
“Myceen products have already been installed in real buildings. The company is expanding manufacturing capacity while completing formal certification processes to support wider commercial uptake. “The UK is a key target market, with several cafés already fitted with Myceen acoustic panels. Smaller-scale projects are expected within the next year, with broader availability following as production scales. Our long-term goal for Myceen is to supply products through builders’ merchants; for now, materials are supplied directly on a project-by-project basis.” Early results show that our material performs on par in terms of thermal insulation, while demonstrating more stable temperature and humidity behaviour. This suggests a lower risk of condensation and mould formation, which is a critical long-term performance factor.
Self-Healing Concrete Concrete is prone to cracking which causes problems for builders. Basilisk self-healing concrete is the weird and wonderful answer to the problem. The technology is based on micro-organisms that produce limestone, which autonomously repairs the cracks, of up to one millimetre, and greatly improves the durability of the structure.
“Our self-healing concrete additive autonomously seals micro-cracks caused
by shrinkage and thermal stress, improving long-term durability in real-world conditions. By controlling early-age cracking, the technology can reduce reliance on crack- control reinforcement, offering potential steel reduction in suitable applications,” says Bart van der Woerd, managing director, at Basilisk. “Key benefits are lower maintenance demands and improved resistance to water ingress, freeze–thaw cycles, and chemical attack. Extending service life while reducing repair interventions delivers clear sustainability benefits by cutting material use and lifecycle carbon emissions.” Pilot projects and validation studies have proven the crack- healing performance and the product is being adopted.
Bioluminescent Wood Perhaps the weirdest of products being developed is bioluminescent wood. This lab- developed timber emits light from within, potentially reducing or replacing electrical lighting.
Francis Schwarze, at Empa - Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology explains; “Bioluminescent wood matches traditional timber in strength without compromising structural performance, while emitting light from within the material itself, potentially reducing or replacing the need for electrical lighting in some applications - saving electricity and cutting long-term energy costs.” The product also contributes positively to health and well-being through its biophilic design it boosts comfort, mood and occupant satisfaction in interiors.
“Bioluminescent wood could add an organic aesthetic and natural ambience that conventional materials lack, offering both form
March 2026
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
Living Energy-Storing Cement Traditionally, cement and concrete have been regarded as chemically inert materials whose sole purpose is to provide mechanical strength and structural support. However recent research undertaken by Dr Qi Luo, in the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, at Aarhus University, Denmark suggests that we must rethink what these materials can do.
“By integrating selected micro-organisms into the cement matrix, we transform cement from a passive construction material into a functional scaffold that can host living systems,” explains Luo. “In simple terms, the concrete is no longer just ‘dead mass’ - it becomes an active material capable of interacting with its environment, including storing and releasing electrical energy.” Rather than treating energy systems and building materials as separate, the research explores how functionality could be embedded directly into structural materials. “If energy-storing cementitious materials can eventually be deployed without compromising structural performance, they could contribute to a more distributed and resilient energy infrastructure embedded directly within buildings and infrastructure,” suggests Luo.
At present the work remains at an early stage and the technology should be viewed as a proof of concept rather than a market-ready product as there are still important scientific, engineering and scaling challenges to address before commercialisation. Distribution and regulation however are not expected to be the main barriers, “Cementitious materials already operate within well-established supply chains and standards,” says Luo. “The larger challenge lies in validating long-term performance, safety and reliability.” Early real- world use is likely to focus on applications where added functionality provides value. “In the near term potential applications may be
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