Cancret at the Winterthur Innovation Lab
Our patented hemp-lime exterior walls have recently been installed at the Winterthur Innovation Lab. They form the outer shell of the pavilion—actually built into the structure and thus visible to everyone, demonstrating how this innovation works in a real building.
The Winterthur Innovation Lab is a learning and exchange platform sponsored by the City of Winterthur that focuses on topics such as ecology, urban development, and sustainable mobility. It was created in close collaboration with partners from business, research, and government—and shows the public how the city of the future can be built and managed. The fact that Cancret was selected as a partner technology in this context is a clear recognition: Our hemp-lime walls are classified by a public institution as a practical innovation for the sustainable construction of tomorrow.
The project is a collaborative effort by the Cancret partner network:
• Röfix Switzerland – responsible for the plastering
• Schöb Holzbau (Gams, Switzerland) – Supplier of the timber frames
• Ammann-Bau (Nenzing, Austria) – Concrete pouring for the timber frames
What makes a hemp-lime wall special?
The patented Cancret exterior wall element consists of a hemp-lime mixture that is poured into a wooden frame. The result is a building component with outstanding thermal performance: a U-value of 0.15 W/(m²·K), certified sound insulation of Rw = 58 dB (EMPA), and fire resistance class B1. The vapor-permeable wall naturally regulates humidity and creates a healthy indoor climate—without any conventional sandwich construction. Particularly noteworthy is the carbon footprint: At –100 kg CO₂ per cubic meter, hempcrete is climate-positive, independently certified, and the savings are tradable. By comparison: concrete generates +220 kg CO₂/m³. Industrial hemp grows in just 110 days, requires hardly any water, needs no pesticides—and yields enough material per hectare for two three-bedroom apartments.
Tour: The pavilion is open to the public during the day. Our CEO, Martin Bodmer, is available for guided tours and to answer any questions. If you are interested in a guided tour, please contact us at martin.bodmer@cancret.com.
