VOCScan - Early-stage VOC emission screening for bio-based construction materials

The construction sector is increasingly exploring bio-based materials as sustainable alternatives to conventional petrochemical-based building products. Materials such as mycelium-based composites and other plant-based products offer promising environmental benefits and are rapidly being developed for applications in insulation, panels, and interior finishes. However, during early stages of material development, the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is rarely assessed. Standardized emission testing methods, such as those described in the ISO 16000 series, require specialized infrastructure and certified laboratories, making them costly and difficult to access for researchers, start-ups, and SMEs.
This project aims to develop and validate an accessible laboratory-scale methodology for early-stage screening of VOC emissions from bio-based construction materials. The methodology combines static headspace screening with small-volume emission chamber testing under controlled conditions. VOC emission patterns will be monitored using practical sensor-based measurement systems provided by Bouwbiologie Zwolle. A subset of measurements will be validated using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to assess the reliability of the screening approach.
The methodology will be applied to emerging bio-based materials, including mycelium-based composites and SAM Panels, to generate comparative emission profiles and assess the influence of environmental conditions and material ageing. In addition, exploratory experiments will investigate whether certain bio-based materials can reduce VOC concentrations through adsorption effects.
The project is conducted by MNEXT in collaboration with FRAAi Architecten, FC-i, SAM Panels, and Bouwbiologie Zwolle. The results will provide practical insights for material developers and architects, enabling emission-informed decision-making during material development and supporting the design of healthier indoor environments. In addition, the project will deliver a practical screening protocol that complements existing standardized testing and can be applied by researchers and SMEs working with innovative bio-based construction materials.