The contribution of fast-growing and invasive plants in the development of regenerative bio-based construction products

In the current climate emergency, reducing carbon emissions has become essential, especially considering that nearly 40% of global emissions are linked to the construction sector. While buildings are becoming increasingly energy efficient, addressing embodied carbon in construction materials continues to be critical. Thus, the choice of materials is crucial for reducing environmental impact and creating regenerative, carbon-negative buildings. Bio-based building materials have emerged as an alternative to conventional resources, offering lower environmental impacts and enhanced carbon sequestration potential. Fastgrowing plants are drawing attention due to their rapid biomass production and inherent ability to capture biogenic carbon. In this context, exploring invasive species offers a dual benefit by supporting control management efforts while creating a sustainable value chain from a resource that is otherwise overlooked. This paper reviews the contribution of fast-growing plants and invasive species to developing sustainable building materials, focusing on the biogenic carbon content reported in Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) of conventional and bio-based materials and existing literature on invasive species. A systematic analysis of existing literature, including updated EPDs and recent studies on material development, will assess how incorporating these species into bio-based construction materials can improve overall sustainability. The review aims to clarify the potential of rapid renewable biomass, as indicated by biogenic carbon values, and to provide insights into how these resources can improve the environmental performance of building materials. Findings highlight the great environmental performance of rapidly renewable resources such as hemp fibre and straw insulation, offering valuable insights to guide future research and industry practices toward more sustainable building solutions.