Knowledge Sharing and Joint Efforts Highlighted as Keys to Decarbonising Construction at SIRCULAR and INBUILT Workshop

SIRCULAR and INBUILT partner ITeC (Institute of Construction Technology of Catalonia) hosted the Workshop on Concrete Solutions to the Challenges of Building Decarbonisation in the Construction Sector, a session that brought together institutions, experts, and companies to address practical strategies for a more sustainable industry.

The event, organised by the Catalan Housing Agency (AHC), Leitat Technological Center, and ITeC within the framework of the SIRCULAR and INBUILT projects, highlighted the need to advance housing policies that integrate sustainability, energy renovation, and eco-efficiency in the use and management of resources to achieve building decarbonisation goals by 2050.

During the session, participants analysed the European and Catalan regulatory frameworks that will shape the immediate future of construction: the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, the latest updates to the Spanish Technical Building Code, the Construction Products Regulation, and circular economy and waste management policies in the construction field.

Discussions focused on priority strategies to reduce both operational and embodied carbon in buildings, emphasizing the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, capacity building in the sector, revision of existing regulations, and the development of experience banks and resources to facilitate implementation. Concrete solutions presented within these strategies included:

  • Digital platforms to evaluate and improve sustainability (Sircular Platform), to facilitate the implementation of innovative products (MEDZEroE), for auditing and certification of deconstruction products (PEMD Platform), or to collect and locate salvage material suppliers (Opalis.eu).
  • Innovative construction solutions such as prefabricated concrete panels with low-carbon insulation for façade renovation (Sircular Solution), circular wood solutions (Woodcircles), façade solutions using recycled glass, or construction solutions based on 3D printing (AdditiveSPACES).

The participants highlighted the importance of the workshop that helped to strengthen new alliances between institutions, companies, and research centres to drive decarbonisation in the sector and pool efforts, reinforcing the housing sector’s commitment to the green transition.