report
4.2.6 Current situation within the EU

Little has been done so far to introduce innovative ideas from nanotechnologies into the low-tech sector construction. However, the EU is compared to other world regions leading in the field of nanotechnology and construction. Cement is the most important material for construction and many of the worlds major cement producers are headquartered in Europe. There are also a couple of research institutions focussing on the use of nanotechnologies in construction. There are for example the Centre for Nanomaterials Applications in Construction (NANOC), which is located within the LABEIN technology Center in Bilbao, Spain and the Scottish centre for nanotechnology in construction materials (NANOCOM) at the University of Paisley, UK, which has been established in 2000. Furthermore, the Advanced Concrete and Masonry Centre of the University of Paisley has been working in the field of nanotechnology already since 1994.

In Denmark, the private strategic foundation Realdania has started a pre-project named "Nanobyg" looking into perspectives and potentials of nanotechnology in the Danish construction industry (2006-2007) [^XV].

Germany has launched a funding programme called "Nanotecture" in 2007 within the framework of the national nanotechnology initiative. The investigation of advanced reinforcements in concrete is also a matter within the German innovation alliance on carbon nanotubes.