Enhancing ecodesign and circularity of construction products

Expected Outcome:

Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• material and product manufacturers apply ecodesign principles in developing and manufacturing products that are safe and contribute significantly to EU climate, zero pollution, circular economy, and biodiversity goals, e.g., through biodiversity-enhancing circular design;
• consumers and professionals benefit from more sustainable and circular products, i.e. durable, safe, reliable, reusable, reparable, upgradable, recyclable products including increased recycled content.

Scope:

Construction is one of the most resource-intensive sectors of the economy. The construction sector is responsible for almost 39% of the EU’s total waste generation.^[1] Greenhouse gas emissions from material extraction, manufacturing of construction products, construction and renovation of buildings are estimated at 5-12% of total national GHG emissions.^[2] Greater material efficiency could save 80% of those emissions.^[3] Cement, steel, aluminium and plastics are the materials contributing by 15% to EU carbon emissions.

Proposals should:

• develop, test and demonstrate new and improved ecodesign of construction materials and products, including design for durability, reusability, reparability, separability, recyclability, and uptake of recycled content. Solutions promoting assembly and disassembly of products should be considered, and solutions for the reuse of recovered materials;
• assess and provide recommendations for mechanisms and incentives to reward design for circularity, disassembly, and product durability – such as extended guarantees, VAT reduction, and others –, and analyse potential trade-offs and propose solutions to overcome them.

The environmental performance of the proposed solutions in comparison to existing products should be evaluated from a lifecycle perspective using product environmental footprint methodology wherever applicable. The possible presence of contaminants in construction products and waste and its impact on circularity must be taken into account. Reuse and recycling options should involve quality control and assessment.

Proposals should seek to contribute to the goals of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative. Joint activities with NEB projects are encouraged. Proposals should also seek to build synergies with construction-focused projects funded under Clusters 6 and 4, and are strongly encouraged to organise joint activities, ensure synergies and undertake clustering activities with those. Participation of partners from (associated) countries with growing construction sectors is encouraged.

Proposals should seek to involve SMEs and regional ecosystems.

The topic supports the European Green Deal, the Construction Products Regulation, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and its working plan, and Europe’s efforts to develop a single market for sustainable products.

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[1] Eurostat data for 2022, available at: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/bookmark/f0673b56-1bf2-490f-86e2-56bebc77e009?lang=en

[2] https://www.boverket.se/sv/byggande/hallbart-byggande-och-forvaltning/miljoindikatorer---aktuell-status/vaxthusgaser/

[3] Hertwich, E., Lifset, R., Pauliuk, S., Heeren, N., IRP, (2020), Resource Efficiency and Climate Change: Material Efficiency Strategies for a Low-Carbon Future.