The Netherlands faces a dual challenge: to build more homes and to do so more sustainably. Biobased construction and drinking water–saving technologies offer tangible answers, but scaling often stalls because demand and supply do not connect well enough and the business case is still too fragile for the entire value chain.
Rabobank and BPD have broken this deadlock with a cooperative initiative: more than €100 million to cover the additional costs of biobased materials and drinking water–saving systems across thousands of new-build homes. Not as a one-off subsidy scheme, but as a catalyst to encourage producers, contractors and developers to scale up sustainable construction, and thereby make the new standard.
In this session, Sladjana Mijatovic (Manager Sustainability at BPD) shares the story behind this initiative: why it is needed, how it works and what it has produced so far. Next, innovative parties will present scalable solutions for biobased construction and drinking water saving in short pitches. With a panel of experts, we explore what is needed to truly scale these innovations: which framework conditions are crucial, where the opportunities lie and which barriers we need to remove together?
Other speakers:
- Max Kwantes - Roof of the Future (integral biobased roof concept) and ambassador of Zero250
- Ruben Wentink - Business Developer FieldFACTORS
Sprekers
PROVADA winner Michel Baars: 'MOOS will become the ASML of housing construction'
Not a man of one company, but a man of movements. His strength? Not shouting from the sidelines, but starting new companies himself that set the market in motion and challenge existing systems. That's how the jury of the PROVADA Inspiration Award 2026 describes winner Michel Baars. 'Michel gives direction to our entire construction and real estate sector.'
PROVADA 2026: It's a wrap!
For three days, the real estate sector stood shoulder to shoulder at RAI Amsterdam. With a record number of visitors, a packed programme and plenty of energy, PROVADA 2026 was an edition to remember. Below, we look back at the highlights — and at the end you'll find the photos and aftermovie to relive it all.
PROVADA Inspiration Award 2026 for Michel Baars
At PROVADA 2026, the PROVADA Inspiration Award 2026 was presented to Michel Baars. The award is presented annually to an individual who realises sustainable change within the built environment through vision, courage and decisiveness. This year's presentation marks the award's fifth edition.