RECONMATIC Open Day in Greece “Smart Circular Economy Solutions: Recycling, Reusing & Digital Innovation”

Europe today faces the pressing challenge of managing the vast volumes of waste generated annually by the construction sector. With sustainability as a primary goal, emphasis is being placed on adopting circular economy practices based on three core principles: reduction, reuse, and recycling. In Greece, steps have already been taken towards the integration of circular economy principles within the construction industry, in line with European directives and standards. 

Within the framework of RECONMATIC project’s “Open Days” initiative, an Open Day event was held on March 6, 2025, under the theme “Smart Circular Economy Solutions: Recycling, Reuse, and Digital Innovation.” The event took place at the premises of the Technical Chamber of Greece/Section of Central Macedonia (TCG/SCM). Targeted primarily at engineers, the event was organised under the auspices of TCG/SCM and the Civil Engineering Department of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Welcoming remarks were delivered by representatives of the political leadership, local authorities, the Technical Chamber, and the Department of Civil Engineering of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. 

Speakers included: 

• Katerina Tsikaloudaki, Professor, Head of the Civil Engineering Department, Director of Laboratory of Building Construction and Building Physics, Partner of COST Action CircularB/RECONMATIC

• Ioannis Koutsos, Innovation Project Manager, Future Needs & Exploitation Leader for the RECONMATIC project

• Ilias Dimitriadis, President and CEO of ANAKEM & RECONMATIC Partner 

• Theodoros Theodosiou, Professor, Laboratory of Building Construction and Building Physics Scientific Coordinator, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki / RECONMATIC 

• Kostas Choumas, Postdoctoral Researcher, Network Implementation Testbed Laboratory (NITLAB), University of Thessaly, RECONMATIC Partner 

• Maria Stefanidou, Professor, Director of the Laboratory of Building Materials - Aristotle University of Thessaloniki 

• Evangelos Manthos, Associate Professor, Director of the Highway Engineering Laboratory - Aristotle University of Thessaloniki 

• Eleftherios Anastasiou, Associate Professor, Laboratory of Building Materials - Aristotle University of Thessaloniki 

The speakers' presentations covered a wide range of topics and applications of the circular economy in the construction sector. The significant contribution of the RECONMATIC project to the utilisation of advanced technologies in Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) management was highlighted. References were also made to the CircularB COST Action-Implementation of Circular Economy in the Built Environment, and to the Circular Construction Cluster, which is funded by the European Union, promoting synergies between projects, industry, and academia in the field of CDW management. 

The thematic sessions addressed during the event included: 

• The Application of Circular Economy Principles in the Built Environment: Challenges and Prospects 

• Synergies for Circular Economy in the Construction Sector

• The Contribution of ANAKEM to the Alternative Management of CDW 

• RECONMATIC Project: Modern Technologies Serving the Circular Economy of CDW 

• Utilising Blockchain Technology to Reduce Concrete Waste: The RECONMATIC Case 

• 3D Printed Building Materials 

• Reuse and Recycling of Materials in Road Construction: The Future of Sustainable Pavement 

• Concrete Material Recycling and Sustainability 

After the event, a fruitful discussion took place, providing participants the opportunity to pose questions to the speakers and delve deeper into topics of particular interest. The conversation continued informally during the networking buffet that followed. 

The event drew a large and diverse audience, including engineers, academics, researchers, company representatives, local authorities, and students. Moreover, it was covered by national public television, with features appearing in news broadcasts. 

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This event announcement was written by Katerina Karanafti from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the RECONMATIC partner who organised the Open Day in Thessaloniki.