Circularity for the construction sector

Resource usage in the construction sector accounts for 50% of the EU’s total material extraction and is responsible for more than 35% waste streams in the EU. In addition, as of 2021, the estimated level of circularity for the construction sector in the EU is of only 12.4% material use rate, which means that over 87% of material is wasted. On a wider level, data suggests that only 8.6% of the 100 billion tonnes of materials which enter the global economy every year are upcycled, thus needing urgent action both at the policylevels and the process industries.

The Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) is the European’s agenda for sustainable growth, bringing legislative initiatives and strategies to create a more sustainable and resourceefficient economy by targeting aspects for the reduction of the use of primary raw materials. The Processes4Planet Partnership (P4P) is also working to implement actions that transform process industries to achieve circularity and overall climate neutrality at the EU level by 2050.

About ICARUS

ICARUS aims to provide technological support to energy-intensive and construction industries for the transition to more sustainable and digital processes in a business model for successful market implementation. By fostering collaboration across key industry players, recyclers, public authorities, and standardisation actors, ICARUS will contribute to a circular, green economy.
The project is at the forefront of advancing circular economy principles through groundbreaking research and innovative technologies that upgrade Secondary Raw Materials (SRMs) so they match the quality of primary raw materials, and it will support energy-intensive and construction industries by making them key players in the shift towards greener and more digital processes.

Facts