As the construction industry shifts toward more sustainable solutions, bio-based materials are emerging as promising alternatives to conventional building components. This work explores two primary categories: supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) derived from agricultural byproducts, and natural fibers used to reinforce cement-based composites. Materials such as rice husk ash and sugarcane bagasse ash can partially replace Portland cement, lowering carbon emissions while maintaining structural performance. At the same time, plant and animal-based fibers like jute, sisal, coconut, and wool enhance mechanical properties such as tensile strength and crack resistance. The use of renewable biopolymers and bio-based phase-change materials further improves workability, insulation, and energy efficiency. While challenges such as durability and material variability remain, bio-based materials offer a compelling pathway toward greener, eco-efficient construction.

Concrete is strong in compression andweak in tension,which results in a lowtoughness and ductility in plain concretemembers under flexure. The traditional solution is to use steel reinforcement bars, but other solutions can include the use of distributed fibers in the concrete mix. To transition to a bio-based circular economy, natural fibers such as abaca and coconut are currently being explored. Proper design requires understanding their tensile behavior under flexural loading. Experiments on concrete prisms with natural fibers under third-point loading have been carried out. These are compared and fitted with an analytical moment-curvature response incorporating a quad-linear tension model, enabling strain compatibility analysis for structural design. While experiments on larger scale and on reinforced concrete members have not been carried out yet, the current results provide a foundation for the analytical modelling of members with natural fibers in bending.

Natural fibers are becoming a key point for the development of new concrete mixes because these fibers are recovered from residual biomass. In this paper, we focus on the natural fib‘ers found in the Metropolitan District of Quito, Ecuador. For this purpose, we searched for materials (fibers) available in the Chemical Engineering laboratory at Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ. In this paper, we analyze different literature on how the use of fibers influences the mechanical properties of concrete. Based on this analysis and the materials at the laboratory, we have developed recommendations on which natural fibers are of interest for further experimental research. Furthermore, this paper provides an understanding of how natural fibers influence the mechanical properties of concrete. It also proposes a process for the selection and study of any type of natural fiber for further replicability in mix analysis.

To meet the sustainable development goals, novel concrete mixes are necessary. Natural fibers are becoming an interesting new element for concrete mixes, because these fibers are biomaterials recovered from residual biomass and fit in the concept of the circular bioeconomy. In this paper, we catalog research insights on concrete mixes with natural fibers and pay special attention to natural fibers that are available in the Metropolitan District of Quito, Ecuador, to use local bio-based materials. We focus on examining information from the literature on how natural fibers influence the mechanical properties of concrete, namely the tensile, compressive, and flexural strength. Based on this analysis, we have developed recommendations on which natural fibers are of interest for further experimental research, with the aim to develop sustainable concrete mixes for Quito. Moreover, this paper gives insights in how natural fibers influence the mechanical properties of concrete and proposes a framework that translates to other regions and cities for the selection of local and adequate natural fibers.