When team effort pays off
Teamwork makes the dream work! When a new player joins forces with established giants in the niche of circularity and CO2 emission reduction in the Swiss construction industry, you can expect new paths and solutions. Hard work and collaboration through ups and downs, to contribute to national climate goals. Read here to learn what makes MANAL different, what it means to Oxara and why it has the potential to leave the niche permanently.
Net Zero by 2050 in Switzerland – A challenge and opportunity for MANAL and Oxara
Switzerland has set a high bar for "Net zero" by 2050, driven by the Climate and Innovation Act approved in June 2023. The construction industry, which accounts for 40% of the country's CO2 emissions, faces pressure to find solutions. Concrete, the most widely used building material, significantly contributes to CO2 emissions (5%) mainly due to its cement content. Oxara and its team, led by founders Gnanli Landrou and Thibault Demoulin, pursue a vision of circular and sustainable construction by offering eco-friendly alternatives to cement.
Sustainability made tangible – MANAL as a showcase for circularity
MANAL tackles two key challenges. First, how can the industry use more sustainable, low-CO2 binders? Second, how can we reuse millions of tons of demolition material instead of dumping it? Solutions to these problems are showcased in the MANAL Pavilion.
Oxara, together with its partners, commercially validates the production and use of Oxacrete Oulesse®, an alternative binder that enables the production of cement-free concrete. This eco-friendly material recycles demolition waste and is just as easy to use as regular concrete. The MANAL Pavilion serves as a tangible example for architects, planners, and others interested in sustainable construction, showing how these materials can be applied in real projects.
“MANAL” as a commercial pilot – High potential for the Swiss construction industry
For Oxara, the MANAL project provides an opportunity to showcase their solutions and receive valuable feedback from the industry. It demonstrates that their technology works and that they are ready for industrial-scale production. The MANAL Pavilion is proof that alternative materials can perform well in real-world conditions and meet the needs of modern construction.
Key players as pioneers
Partners who joined the MANAL journey are pioneers in sustainability and circularity. Despite challenges along the way, key players like HSLU, Waltgalmarini, KIBAG, Marti Zürich, ERNE, TERRABLOC, Repoxit, Müllersteinag and also supporters like BAFU, the city of Zurich, Swiss Prime Site, Swiss Climate Foundation, and Holcim contributed their expertise and infrastructure during the planning and construction phases. These partnerships helped bring the project to life in the Swiss market, establishing it as a physical proof of investment and sustainable development.
“MANAL is a milestone in the entire history of building materials.”
Affordable housing for all – Oxara’s global vision
Oxara’s vision of "affordable housing for all" is closely tied to the MANAL project. This vision extends beyond Switzerland and Europe to countries like Togo, the homeland of one of the founders, Gnanli Landrou. The need for affordable housing in Togo is a pressing issue, and Oxara believes that if the technology works in Switzerland with its rigorous standards, it can work anywhere. Validation by the Swiss industry is seen as a mark of quality that builds trust in international markets.
Blood, sweat & tears: Why the project is named "MANAL"
In Arabic, "manal" means achieving what you've worked hard for. For Oxara, it symbolises the journey of finding partners, convincing investors, developing products, overcoming setbacks, and navigating countless negotiations. This reflects what Gnanli Landrou learned from his uncle in Togo: find simple solutions to challenges and never give up. The MANAL team achieved this with the pavilion, and they are proud of what they’ve built.
“I am very proud to be part of the team!”
The story of MANAL is also the story of the entire Oxara team. Since 2019, everyone involved, including co-founder Thibault Demoulin, has worked together with Gnanli Landrou to grow the company and establish their position in the construction value chain. It wasn't just about developing technology; it was about learning how to implement and use the product on construction sites. This experience has given the team confidence and demonstrated to clients that alternative building materials are reliable and trustworthy. "I wouldn't change a thing," says Landrou, "and I'm proud to be part of this team."
By the way, the name "Oxara" already hints at its collaborative spirit—it means "gathering and community" in Landrou's native language.
A stepping stone, a bridge, a door opener
The MANAL project is not just a showcase but also a commercial door opener, making the potential of sustainable building materials accessible to the public. By allowing developers, engineers, architects, and real estate professionals to physically experience the materials, they can better understand how they interact with conventional materials like wood or recycled concrete. The project also focuses on "Material Cautious Design," where material and design influence each other. MANAL helps answer key questions: What can be built with these materials? How can they shape designs? What properties do they support?