Circular concrete - products and business models for increased reuse and material recycling

Project titel: Circular concrete - products and business models for increased reuse and material recycling
Project leader: Jelena Mijanovic
Participating university/company/organization: AB Strängbetong , Henning Larsen Architects AB , Ramboll Sweden AB , Sika Sverige AB
Financed by: Vinnova
Project duration: 2023-10-19 – 2025-10-19

The project´s solutions are based on the EU´s upcoming objective and reporting requirements in the taxonomy and construction product regulation, with a specific focus on solutions that support circular economy in prefab and the concrete industry.

The project mainly focuses on developing solutions for prefabricated concrete elements as these have a long life and have potential for dismantling:

• Reuse of existing elements, technical solutions for reuse and dismantling and assembly as well as efficient reconditioning

• Recycling of concrete that is not suitable for reuse in the form of raw material: ballast and binder (cement) as recycled secondary raw material in newly produced concrete and concrete element.

• Adaptation of technology and design to the Swedish market.

• Business models for circular products manufacturing of circular products of the council and circular construction.

The project and the collaboration constellation contribute to new and improved technologies, processes, and services which, taken together, have the potential to contribute to significantly better use of material resources.

The project contributes to a reduced need for the extraction of raw materials for the production of concrete through the local use of existing "old " concrete. The project strengthens the conditions for resilient supply chains by managing resource shortages, increased international material prices, transportation, and external emissions.

The project´s results contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of Swedish actors in the transition.