Innovative Circular Economy Based Solutions Demonstrating the Efficient Recovery of Valuable Material Resources from the Generation of Representative End-of-Life Building Materials

Project Abstract

The main objective in ICEBERG is to develop and demonstrate novel cost-effective circular smart solutions for an upgraded recovery of secondary building raw materials along the entire circular value chain. ICEBERG aims to design, develop, demonstrate and validate advanced technologies for the production of high-purity secondary raw materials (>92%w) through 6 circular case studies (CCS) across Europe, covering circularity of wood, concrete, mixed aggregate, plasterboard, glass, polymeric insulating foams and inorganic superinsulation materials. ICEBERG will generate cross-cutting integrated smart solutions that encompass three innovative circular reverse logistics’ strategies: an upgraded Business Information Modelling (BIM)-aided-Smart Demolition tool; a novel digital End-of-Life building materials (EBM) traceability platform; and Radio Frequency and QR based identification system. ICEBERG will develop novel technologies for the recovery of EBM, which include: hyperspectral imaging (HSI), machine-learning software and robotic manipulators to increase sorting efficiency of mixed aggregates; an integrated crushing, sorting and cleaning optimized system and fast pyrolysis and purification processes for wood fractions; thermal attrition mobile unit integrated with Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and carbonation for concrete; hydrocyclone combined with HSI sorting and acid purification to increase the purity of recycled plasterboard; a combined process of purification and solvolysis for polymeric insulating foams; advanced hydrothermal and supercritical based processing of glass and silica containing waste. Circular design solutions for greater circularity of EBM and production of innovative circular building products with high purity and recycled content (30% - 100%) will be also implemented. This will be undertaken through 6 pilot circular case studies planned in Belgium, Finland, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain/France and Turkey, covering building materials accounting for more than 85% by weight of the European built environment. ICEBERG will generate in the midterm an economic benefit of 1758 M€ and 7000 new jobs by 2030. ICEBERG will also contribute to raising building circularity awareness among the stakeholder communities (local authorities, professionals, researchers and final building users).

Project Objective

The principal objective of the project is to develop and demonstrate novel cost-effective circular smart solutions for "EBM", with a clear focus on advancing technologies for production of high-quality, high-purity secondary raw materials through a series of circular case studies across Europe. The project contains numerous specific ambitious objectives. They are clear and pertinent, mostly technical, but also economical, environmental and social These range from new BIM-based tools to smart solutions for construction and demolition waste processing and new building products. Thus, the project covers the whole value chain from pre-demolition planning to the reuse of recycled construction and demolition waste in new products. These valuable targets are supplemented by design guidelines for new circular buildings. It is very commendable that the scope of these developments covers the majority of construction elements contained in the European building stock.

The project develops several innovative pilots around Europe with different types of end-of-life building stock which cover the whole range of technologies developed in the project. These pilots will not only be used for testing certain developments of the project but will also serve for benchmarking the entire concept of the project in a specific environment, fulfilling the call for case studies. The project contains a social objective to improve awareness and trust in sustainable raw materials production in the EU through adequate trainings within relevant stakeholder communities. The project considers a valuable contribution to the Raw Materials Information System by feeding in data gathered at the novel Cloud Traceability Platform developed within the project.

Industrial Innovation

The innovation potential of the project is significant due to the multitude of innovative solutions targeted in the project. They could lead to several new products and services, solving construction and demolition waste issues of existing building and contributing to the circularity of new buildings. Innovation spans from the smart tools offered for the audit phase, over traceability services, automated sorting technologies to processing technologies and new features of circular building materials. The project shows a very good understanding of the state-of-the-art and proposes key deliverables which can further advance it. As a project output, there are significant patent applications, commitments on innovative products and services.

The large number of developments in this project could lead to a considerable technological boost, pushing the EU to the forefront in some areas of raw materials processing and recycling technologies. The project has solid potential for enhancing the circularity of future buildings, including fostering a wider application of smart demolition techniques, construction and demolition waste processing and quality assurance practices. New businesses, mostly digital tools, are expected to be created, while building products manufacturers can enrich their existing lines by vertical integration of new products of reduced carbon footprint.

Project Outputs and Outcomes

The project has real potential to unlock a significant volume of recycling of currently underexploited construction and demolition waste fractions like wood, window glass and polymer foams. The project has potential to improve the environmental performance throughout the whole life cycle. The analysis of the environmental impact reduction through saving of natural raw materials, avoided landfill, reduction in carbondioxide emissions, water and energy consumption is well considered. New technologies will also bring health and safety improvements such as closed systems to capture ultra-fine particles during processing of construction and demolition waste. To summarize the additional outcomes and outputs to be obtained from the project:

• The emergence of new business models that will ensure continuity,
• High repeatability of ICEBERG solutions throughout the European Union and the World,
• Ensuring acceptance of new generation materials in the construction industry,
• Demonstrating the energy efficiency and environmental impacts of all circular case study implementations to be carried out in different regions of Europe
• To increase awareness on the subject and to ensure the contribution of stakeholders to ICEBERG solutions

NEW GENERATION CIRCULAR CONSTRUCTION MODEL

Project Partners

ICEBERG consortium is a big team consisting of 35 partners, in direct relation to the scope and ambition of the project. The consortium consists of 13 Large Companies, 10 SMEs, 9 Research Organizations and 2 Public Bodies. These cover the circular building chain:

1. predemolition and demolition/refurbishment;
2. sorting/reuse/processing of EBM;
3. circular design of buildings;
4. design of building materials;
5. use and exploitation.

ICEBERG Partner Name and Country

Keywords: Circular economy; Waste recycling; Residential buildings; Industrial processes; Environment, resources and sustainability BIM based pre-demolition audits; RFID/QR smart tracing systems; circular design; digitalization of circular building; industrialized green building products