Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MOBICCON-PRO (MOBile and Innovative Circularity for CONstruction PROducts)
Berichtszeitraum: 2022-12-01 bis 2024-05-31
The transition towards a circular economy is a global challenge. The construction sector, being one of the biggest waste streams in Europe, is responsible for appr. 40% of the EU’s total waste generation and consumes extensive amounts of resources - appr. 50% of all extracted virgin materials. With this background, the sector is expected to quickly transform and follow a circular journey in line with European Green Deal principles and is considered also among the sectors with the highest greening potential.
In this context, the MOBICCON-PRO project introduces and demonstrates a systemic, circular and mobile solution in the region of South-East Europe (SEE) improving the recovery and recycling of Construction & Demolition Waste (CDW). The project combines physical solutions adapted to the ground with innovative selective separation and deconstruction technologies with a view to scale up the production and use of recycled construction materials.
A cornerstone of the project is the deployment of a mobile pilot plant (MPP) for the production of high-quality recycled construction materials and products. The mobility of the installation ensures its positioning closer to the locations where CDW is actually generated or landfilled and where considerable quantities are available for processing. The MPP could be compacted both at municipal and regional level where no recycling facilities are available, as well as at large infrastructure sites. Its mobility results in saving considerable emissions from further transportation of CDW and construction materials. According to early estimates, in its inaugural year of operation, the plant is anticipated to process a minimum of 55,000 tons of CDW; while by its seventh year of commission, it is expected to handle roughly 172,000 tons/per year, with about 160,000 tons being reused in construction as recycled materials.
Beyond the technical solutions, the partners of MOBICCON-PRO are conscious as well of the socio-economic and policy drivers necessary for the transition to a circular economy. Therefore, an essential part of the project is the establishment and long-term operation of a Territorial Circular Center - TCC (hub) for CDW where private, public and scientific key stakeholders, as well as citizens, will cooperate to bring circularity to the construction ecosystem in the region. Moreover, the TCC will shed also light on the policy measures needed to improve the overall legislative framework of construction materials in order to facilitate the market uptake of recycled products.
The MOBICCON-PRO innovative equipment and mobile technical solutions will be demonstrated in different environments at local and regional level in order to prove the sustainability, viability and replicability of the systemic concept at a large scale and the extended region of SEE.
In this context, the MOBICCON-PRO project introduces and demonstrates a systemic, circular and mobile solution in the region of South-East Europe (SEE) improving the recovery and recycling of Construction & Demolition Waste (CDW). The project combines physical solutions adapted to the ground with innovative selective separation and deconstruction technologies with a view to scale up the production and use of recycled construction materials.
A cornerstone of the project is the deployment of a mobile pilot plant (MPP) for the production of high-quality recycled construction materials and products. The mobility of the installation ensures its positioning closer to the locations where CDW is actually generated or landfilled and where considerable quantities are available for processing. The MPP could be compacted both at municipal and regional level where no recycling facilities are available, as well as at large infrastructure sites. Its mobility results in saving considerable emissions from further transportation of CDW and construction materials. According to early estimates, in its inaugural year of operation, the plant is anticipated to process a minimum of 55,000 tons of CDW; while by its seventh year of commission, it is expected to handle roughly 172,000 tons/per year, with about 160,000 tons being reused in construction as recycled materials.
Beyond the technical solutions, the partners of MOBICCON-PRO are conscious as well of the socio-economic and policy drivers necessary for the transition to a circular economy. Therefore, an essential part of the project is the establishment and long-term operation of a Territorial Circular Center - TCC (hub) for CDW where private, public and scientific key stakeholders, as well as citizens, will cooperate to bring circularity to the construction ecosystem in the region. Moreover, the TCC will shed also light on the policy measures needed to improve the overall legislative framework of construction materials in order to facilitate the market uptake of recycled products.
The MOBICCON-PRO innovative equipment and mobile technical solutions will be demonstrated in different environments at local and regional level in order to prove the sustainability, viability and replicability of the systemic concept at a large scale and the extended region of SEE.
Territorial Cluster Setup (TCC): The TCC gathering was officially established in May 2023 and started operating as a physical and a virtual host of public events, conferences and trainings. Under the TCC umbrella, a web platform is currently being developed seeking to ensure B2B and B2C exchange of information on recyclables and reusable materials. The TCC embraced also activities addressing existing shortcomings in the regulatory framework for CDW management in Bulgaria.
Supporting Selective Demolition: Steps were undertaken to support the pre-demolition process by means of deploying innovative digital technologies, including validation of smart and innovative methods for pre-demolition audits (PDA) for selective demolition, identification of hazardous materials, quality assurance of CDW materials, as well as collection of valid LCA and LCC data for further documentation of the environmental and economic impacts. The specific actions included: development of digital technologies for PDA and selective demolition, setting of standards to assess impurities in CDW and commencement of environmental and economic assessments on demolition processes.
Mobile Pilot Plant (MPP): Activities were carried out for compacting of the MPP, i.e.: permitting, design, prototyping, supply, installation and construction. The essence of the process was the prototyping of the innovative cone-crusher with power pulse generator, which included laboratory prototype compacting and testing and industrial prototype development. The laboratory prototype was successfully completed and verified. In parallel, actions for preparation of the project site at Kremikovtzi and the construction of the TCC administrative building were undertaken. The actions embraced planning and design of the site, successful completion of all permitting procedures, etc. The next step is the actual construction works.
Innovative Construction Products: The work was dedicated mainly to the area of new products' technical optimisation. Different types of concrete were investigated and laboratory tests were performed. The possibilities of preparing to reuse sandwich panels were assessed. Preparatory activities were carried out regarding conformity assessment of secondary products, recycled products and new materials.
Supporting Selective Demolition: Steps were undertaken to support the pre-demolition process by means of deploying innovative digital technologies, including validation of smart and innovative methods for pre-demolition audits (PDA) for selective demolition, identification of hazardous materials, quality assurance of CDW materials, as well as collection of valid LCA and LCC data for further documentation of the environmental and economic impacts. The specific actions included: development of digital technologies for PDA and selective demolition, setting of standards to assess impurities in CDW and commencement of environmental and economic assessments on demolition processes.
Mobile Pilot Plant (MPP): Activities were carried out for compacting of the MPP, i.e.: permitting, design, prototyping, supply, installation and construction. The essence of the process was the prototyping of the innovative cone-crusher with power pulse generator, which included laboratory prototype compacting and testing and industrial prototype development. The laboratory prototype was successfully completed and verified. In parallel, actions for preparation of the project site at Kremikovtzi and the construction of the TCC administrative building were undertaken. The actions embraced planning and design of the site, successful completion of all permitting procedures, etc. The next step is the actual construction works.
Innovative Construction Products: The work was dedicated mainly to the area of new products' technical optimisation. Different types of concrete were investigated and laboratory tests were performed. The possibilities of preparing to reuse sandwich panels were assessed. Preparatory activities were carried out regarding conformity assessment of secondary products, recycled products and new materials.
MOBICCON-PRO aims to deliver groundbreaking advancements in CDW (construction and demolition waste) management practices by introducing an innovative cone crusher equipped with a power pulse generator. This cutting-edge technology will ensure a more efficient and sophisticated recycling process, characterised by significantly lower energy consumption and the production of higher-quality recycled components. These superior recycled materials can be seamlessly integrated into construction projects, thereby reducing the reliance on raw materials.
The project addresses two critical environmental challenges: the depletion of raw resources and the CO2 emissions associated with CDW processing and raw material processing. Despite these significant benefits, the area in which the project operates currently suffers from low investment interest. MOBICCON-PRO seeks to pioneer investment incentives in this niche market, thereby creating entirely new market opportunities. The establishment of these new markets is expected to quickly attract further research efforts, paving the way for even larger breakthroughs in the industry.
The project addresses two critical environmental challenges: the depletion of raw resources and the CO2 emissions associated with CDW processing and raw material processing. Despite these significant benefits, the area in which the project operates currently suffers from low investment interest. MOBICCON-PRO seeks to pioneer investment incentives in this niche market, thereby creating entirely new market opportunities. The establishment of these new markets is expected to quickly attract further research efforts, paving the way for even larger breakthroughs in the industry.