Exploring Synergies: DeCO2 and RECONMATIC Meet in Spain

As part of the Circular Construction Cluster, a productive meeting recently took place in Castellón, Spain, bringing together the Valencian Institute of Building (IVE) and the Institute for Ceramic Technology (ITC). The goal was simple: explore potential collaborations between the DeCO2 and RECONMATIC projects and find ways to work together for greater impact.

IVE, leading the Spanish demo case of DeCO2, shared insights from their project, which is all about innovating construction products using Construction and Demolition Waste (CDWs) and secondary bio-based materials. These solutions will be tested in demo cases across Ireland, Austria, and Spain, with IVE coordinating the Spanish case. One exciting outcome is the development of a circular “C-Toolbox” to help professionals make sustainable choices during the design phase.

On the other side, RECONMATIC focuses on automated solutions for managing construction and demolition waste more sustainably and circularly. ITC contributes by creating new construction products from waste materials and providing guidance on circular and sustainable practices.

Bringing these projects together means combining expertise, knowledge, and tools to make construction smarter, more circular, and more resilient - benefiting both urban environments and the people who live in them.

This meeting is a great example of how the Circular Construction Cluster supports collaboration, shares best practices, and helps projects like DeCO2 and RECONMATIC work together toward a more sustainable built environment.

About the Circular Construction Cluster 

The Circular Construction Cluster was launched in January 2024 by the Horizon Europe project RECONMATIC and is led by the project’s Dissemination Leader, Future Needs. It brings together EU-funded projects to accelerate circularity and climate neutrality in construction by promoting collaboration, waste traceability, and learning resources. The Cluster facilitates the exchange of technical expertise, joint communication campaigns, and shared exploitation strategies. It also supports co-organisation of events and contributes to standards and best practices. Its core mission is to prevent, reuse, and recycle construction and demolition waste across the industry.

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Get Involved: With construction accounting for more than a third of all waste generated in the EU, the Circular Construction Cluster offers a timely opportunity to align innovation with climate, social, and economic goals. Interested projects, start-ups, and institutions are invited to join the growing network and follow the conversation on social media via #CircularConstructionCluster.

To join the Circular Construction Cluster, contact egle@futureneeds.eu