Written by: Donal Kinsella, Teagasc

On Wednesday, 11 February 2026, BBioNets —the Irish partners Teagasc and Munster Technological University (MTU)— and Circular Reno hosted a training and information seminar on emerging bioeconomy opportunities for farmers, focused on growing crops for application in the bioconstruction sector.

Decarbonising Construction

The construction sector needs to decarbonise, and biobased construction materials from agri-crops such as straw, miscanthus, and hemp can provide a range of carbon-storing materials and products, including boards, insulating batts, and quilts.

Opportunities for Irish Farmers

This emerging bioconstruction sector is growing and expanding across Europe, and there is a strong opportunity for Irish farmers to supply a range of agri-crop feedstocks into biobased material supply chains in Ireland, providing diversification and alternative income opportunities.

Event Details

The seminar and site visit was held near Athy on 11 February 2026. The training was designed to be comprehensive, beginning with morning seminars featuring expert speakers and a panel discussion on the bioeconomy, bioconstruction, agri-crops, and processing. This was followed by an afternoon site visit to straw processing facilities to view prototype demonstrations in action.

Highlights from the Event

The event brought together 38 participants, including 21 farmers, creating a valuable space for knowledge exchange and discussion. During the session, farmers received detailed information on key concepts, opportunities, and practical applications related to the agricultural bioeconomy and the bioconstruction sector. As part of the small-scale mentoring activity in BBioNets, information regarding to agri-crops such as straw, miscanthus, and hemp was targeted for farmers. The event also marked the beginning of continued engagement, with follow-up meetings planned over the coming weeks to provide tailored, one-on-one advice addressing the specific needs and priorities of individual farmers.