The tools, methodological materials, and knowledge developed throughout the project will remain available beyond the project’s lifetime, enabling restaurants and other food service businesses to continue implementing sustainable and efficient solutions in their daily operations.

About the Project

The project “Ce4Re” (Development of joint circular solutions in the CB restaurant sector) is implemented within the Interreg Central Baltic Programme 2021–2027. Its goal is to promote sustainable resource use in the food service sector by helping restaurants optimize resource planning and reduce environmental impact. The project involves partners from Latvia, Finland, and Sweden.

Co-funded by the European Union (EU). The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the EU. Neither the EU nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Agricultural construction in Latvia is gradually evolving from a conceptual idea into a practical and economically justified solution for sustainable building. Continuing the discussion launched by the Vidzeme Planning Region on agro-construction as a natural alternative to traditional building materials, the sector’s potential is becoming increasingly apparent not only in the local market but also in exports. This potential is particularly significant in the context of the European Union’s climate goals, zero-emission requirements for new buildings, and the urgent need to rapidly decarbonise the existing building stock. Although at the policy level in Latvia natural-origin building materials are mainly associated with wood (we discussed this topic more extensively in our previous article), European practice demonstrates much broader possibilities. The materials used in agro-construction — hemp, straw, reeds, flax, and hemp-lime — offer low embodied emissions, CO₂ sequestration, good thermal insulation, vapour permeability, and the ability to rely on local, renewable resources.

Best practice examples from Latvia

Several companies and initiatives are already operating in Latvia today, demonstrating in practice the viability of agro-construction solutions and their compliance with modern building requirements.

One example is the company FURE BioStone, which develops hemp-lime concrete solutions for new buildings and renovation projects. The company’s product, BioWall, is made from the porous core of hemp shives combined with a specially developed lime binder. This material combines low embodied carbon emissions with good thermal insulation properties, while also ensuring a healthy indoor microclimate and durability.

Meanwhile, NatureNest (SIA Hemp Eco Systems Latvia) specialises in building natural and healthy residential houses using the hemp lightweight concrete Nest Crete. The company’s experience shows that such solutions are competitive internationally as well — over ten years, projects have been implemented not only in Latvia but also in Lithuania, Estonia, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Portugal, and Austria. This proves that agro-construction products carry real export potential while simultaneously contributing to a highly energy-efficient living environment that supports residents’ well-being.

Another important example in Latvia is the experience of the association “Salmu Māja” (Straw House), which uses industrially manufactured straw panels in construction. These panels, made from straw, wood, and clay, ensure high thermal performance, predictable quality, and fast installation. The association’s experience confirms that environmentally friendly construction can be carried out using modern construction speeds and technologies, while also improving building microclimate and aesthetic qualities.

Experience from the Baltic region

Similar solutions are being successfully developed in neighbouring countries as well. The Estonian company Kodukuubis offers straw panels, noting that their use is less labour-intensive than traditional drywall constructions and allows for significant savings in construction time. Such panels are increasingly used for insulating log buildings while preserving the natural indoor microclimate. The Lithuanian company EcoCocon has become one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of straw panels, exporting its products to several countries. The company’s panels consist of approximately 89% straw and 10% wood, with raw materials sourced from local farms near the factory. This approach creates a strong link between agriculture and manufacturing while reducing transport-related emissions.

Development opportunities for Latvia

Author of the article: Jānis Butkēvičs

Image: Anita Austvika

About the project

The Agro Building Carbon (ABC) project is implemented within the framework of the INTERREG EUROPE 2021–2027 programme. The aim of the project is to improve regional policy instruments in order to create economic opportunities for the production of bio-based construction materials and the related value chain. This objective is to be achieved by learning from best practice examples concerning these materials and the support policies linked to them, particularly carbon sequestration certification.

On October 28 in Valmiera, at the Rietumvidzeme Regional Client Centre of LVM, the Vidzeme Planning Region, in cooperation with the New Building School (JBS), organized the second stakeholder meeting of the project “Agro Building Carbon (ABC)”.
During the meeting, experts, entrepreneurs, and researchers discussed the potential and challenges of using agricultural-based building materials.

At the beginning of the meeting Inguna Kucina, Project Manager at the Vidzeme Planning Region and Gunita Ķiesnere, Head of the New Building School at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, presented the project’s overall objectives and the role of each partner, emphasizing the need to strengthen cooperation between researchers, farmers, and construction industry companies. During the meeting, participants agreed that such stakeholder sessions should take place at least once or twice per semester (every six months) to ensure regular information exchange and joint problem-solving. It was also recalled that the first project event in Riga brought together industry representatives in a broader format, demonstrating growing interest in agricultural-based building materials. This time, the discussions continued in a more focused group, analyzing the practical and policy prerequisites for the sector’s development.

Sustainable construction expert Jānis Butkevičs presented the latest developments related to the European Union’s climate goals and the new Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, which Member States must implement by May 2026. He emphasized that the European Commission increasingly highlights bio-based products, yet specific regulations that would facilitate their introduction to the market are still lacking.

He also reminded that biomaterials are not only wood, but also straw, hemp, and other crops capable of significantly reducing the construction sector’s carbon footprint by sequestering CO₂ in building structures and reducing dependence on fossil resources. Such an approach creates new economic opportunities for farmers, manufacturers, and regional development as a whole.

Ebbing Klaas Osinga presented his perspective on the development of value chains – from agriculture to building construction, emphasizing that interest in the use of hemp and straw is currently growing rapidly across Europe. He highlighted the experience of the Netherlands, where miscanthus is even used in asphalt production. According to Osinga, Latvia should introduce a similar program as soon as possible, since market trends clearly indicate a growing demand for bio-based solutions in the construction sector.

During the discussion, participants emphasized that the lack of standards is currently the biggest challenge – while such standards exist for timber materials, they are still missing for other biomaterials. However, an important question was also raised – are standards even necessary, or should new, more flexible approaches be explored instead? The participants agreed on the need for broader public and industry education to raise awareness about the potential of alternative crops – such as hemp, straw, and grasses – and their integration into construction processes. They also highlighted the importance of developing a pilot project as the next step, which would help test these ideas in practice and complete the value chain of biomaterials.

Project expert Liene Klišāne noted: “It is encouraging to see that several entrepreneurs in Latvia have already been active in the agro construction sector for years, producing building materials from hemp, straw, and reeds. Listening to the experience from the Netherlands, it becomes clear that, in many ways, we are still at the beginning of this journey. The development of the sector requires investment in companies, increased production volumes, and market growth. This process could be accelerated through public procurement by the state and municipalities, similar to how it has been done in the field of organic food for the public sector. The ABC project’s networking event is an excellent platform to identify current challenges – including those related to legislation – and to look for future solutions in agro construction. We are on the path toward a more ecological environment, both for homes and public buildings.”

At the conclusion of the meeting, Project Manager Inguna Kučina encouraged participants to continue the work that has been started and to think about initiatives at the national level: “It is important not only to discuss, but also to develop concrete proposals that would help Latvia make use of its potential in bioeconomy and sustainable construction.”

From May 20 to 22, the kick-off meeting of the Interreg Europe programme 2021-2027 project “ABC” (Architecture, Building, Carbon) took place in the Netherlands, bringing together partners from eight European countries. Latvia is represented in the project by the Vidzeme Planning Region (VPR) and Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (ViA), who aim to jointly promote the development and integration of low-carbon and sustainable construction practices and policies in Latvia.

During the event, participants visited several good practice examples, including the ‘t Gagel regenerative farm and the company “Miscancell”, which cultivates miscanthus – a plant with significant potential in the construction sector as an insulating and cellulose-based material.

A key aspect of the project is the collaboration between the two Latvian partners – Vidzeme Planning Region ensures strategic policy alignment, while the New School of Construction at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences contributes expert knowledge and supports the transfer of innovation in the construction field.

Throughout the duration of the project until 2027, partners will explore best practices in carbon capture and resource efficiency, implement pilot actions, and improve related regional policies. The next partner meeting is scheduled to take place in Greece and will focus on soil regeneration.

To explore Ireland’s approach to bioeconomy development and promote international knowledge exchange, a delegation of 21 representatives from various Latvian institutions visited Ireland from 13 to 15 May 2025. During the visit, participants learned about Ireland’s bioeconomy policy directions, cooperation models, and practical solutions that contribute to the sustainable use of resources, emission reduction, and rural economic development.

The delegation included representatives from the Vidzeme Planning Region, Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava,” Ministry of Agriculture of Latvia, Farmers’ Parliament, the Council of Agriculture Organisations (LOSP), Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics (AREI), JSC “Latvia’s State Forests,” Latvian Fruit Growers Association, Cleantech Latvia cluster, ZAAO Ltd. and Valmiera Municipality.

The visit was organised within the framework of the Interreg Europe project 3F GREEN MODEL and the Horizon Europe project RuralBioUp.

The central event of the visit was participation in the All Island Bioeconomy Summit held on 13 May in Enfield. The summit brought together policymakers, entrepreneurs, and researchers from Ireland, Northern Ireland, and other European countries to discuss the future direction of Ireland’s bioeconomy.

Discussions focused on how to transform bioeconomy potential into real economic growth and climate neutrality. A special emphasis was placed on biomethane development, challenges in commercialising pilot projects, and the role of clusters in fostering innovation.

Although innovation is taking place on a broad scale, with dozens of pilot projects underway, participants noted that the challenge often lies not in generating ideas, but in bringing them to market. The lack of mechanisms to ensure responsibility, manage risks, and implement solutions long-term was identified as a key policy gap across Europe.

In 2023, the Irish government approved the National Bioeconomy Action Plan 2023–2025, which includes 33 action lines, and in 2024 developed a National Biomethane Strategy. The strategy aims to deliver up to 5.7 TWh of locally produced biomethane by 2030. Biomethane is expected to serve multiple strategic functions in Ireland: reducing overall energy and agricultural emissions, supporting rural development, improving energy security, and diversifying energy sources. It will be used across sectors such as high-temperature heat, transport, electricity, and construction.

To support these goals, Ireland is developing a modern bioeconomy infrastructure, including biomethane production facilities, biorefinery centres, marine biotechnology innovation platforms, and biochar plants. Biochar, a material made from organic waste, is a highly effective means of long-term carbon sequestration in soils. Instead of releasing carbon into the atmosphere through decomposition or combustion, biochar allows up to 50% of the carbon to be stored in a stable form, while also improving soil structure, nutrient retention, drainage, and water availability.

Several presentations highlighted the importance of clusters in accelerating knowledge exchange, implementing joint projects, and strengthening collaboration between industry and research. Clusters serve as innovation ecosystems, bringing together companies, research institutions, and policymakers. This collaborative approach enhances sector competitiveness, supports international growth, and ensures coordinated responses to emerging challenges.

At the conclusion of the summit, participants agreed that advancing the bioeconomy requires not only technological solutions but also well-designed policy, an enabling regulatory environment, and strong cross-sectoral cooperation. Only with such an integrated approach can pilot initiatives evolve into long-term, climate-friendly economic solutions.

As part of the study visit, the Latvian delegation visited the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), which operates seven regional campuses in central and southwestern Ireland. TUS is mandated by law to promote regional development, serving as an example of how the academic sector can actively support the implementation of climate, energy, and education policy at the regional level.

Delegates were introduced to the work of the TUS Sustainable Development Research Institute (SDRI), which manages international, national, and regional projects in cooperation with public and private sector partners. SDRI’s approach focuses on research-based capacity building. Examples included projects that support local municipalities in climate change mitigation and energy transition, such as Remarkable Climate Leaders and IN-PLAN, which emphasise integrated spatial and energy planning and provide continuous support for implementing sustainable energy and climate action plans.

Projects to develop skills in the construction sector and promote the green transition were also presented, including BUSI2030, DASBE, as well as REBOUND, FarmElder, and AgriNext – initiatives that support community-based activities in rural areas, from social farming to digital skills in construction and circular economy. TUS representatives also highlighted the university’s strategic focus on circular bioeconomy, exemplified by the CircleBio-P project. The project develops small-scale, environmentally friendly technologies for processing food industry by-products, helping transition from a linear to a circular production model. Insights were also shared about Ireland’s wool sector and the ongoing debate on sustainable value creation and classification.

The delegation was introduced to several good practices in Ireland that are planned for submission to the Interreg Europe Good Practice database. Submitted practices undergo evaluation by a panel of high-level experts and can serve as inspiration for other regions.

One such example is the SymbioBeer project, where St. Mel’s Brewery and Panelto Foods partnered to reduce food waste. By replacing up to 15% of malt with bakery surplus, the brewery maintained beer quality while cutting CO₂ emissions by 3% annually. This initiative is a practical demonstration of circular economy principles and can serve as a model for similar collaborations.

It is worth noting that other good practices from Latvia and the Vidzeme Region are also available on the Interreg Europe platform: https://www.interregeurope.eu/3f-green-model/good-practices