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The construction sector consumes large quantities of primary raw materials and, at the same time, generates significant amounts of waste. However, many materials generated during the renovation, refurbishment or demolition of buildings could be reused to a higher standard or returned to regional value chains as secondary raw materials. The collaborative project therefore addresses the question of how raw materials from the existing building stock in the Lower Rhine region can be more efficiently recorded, assessed, dismantled, temporarily stored and put back into use.
The aim of the project is to support small and medium-sized enterprises in the construction and logistics sectors, as well as local authority stakeholders, in better understanding and practically implementing circular approaches in the construction and demolition process. To this end, regional information on the building stock is being collated, requirements for selective demolition and material flows are being examined, economic and environmental potential is being assessed, and digital tools and practical information materials are being developed. Particular emphasis is placed on presenting the results in a way that makes them immediately usable for regional businesses and local authorities.
Role of Rhine-Waal University
Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences contributes, in particular, its scientific expertise to the analysis of the regional building stock and selective demolition. This involves bringing together region-specific conditions, relevant stakeholders, existing data sources and the latest findings from research and practice. On this basis, the aim is to identify challenges and obstacles in demolition, develop suitable solutions and test them using concrete case studies. In this way, the university helps to make knowledge available in a practical manner for a more resource-efficient construction industry in the Lower Rhine region.
Project Budget
approx. 2.1 million euros
Duration (Implementation period)
1 January 2026 – 31 December 2028
Contact
Jennifer Gnyp, M.A.
jennifer.gnyp@rhine-waal-university.de
Professor Dr Daniela Lud
Professor Dr Mona Wappler
Project Partners
Duisburg Business & Innovation GmbH (project management)
University of Duisburg-Essen
Wirtschaftsförderung Kreis Kleve GmbH
Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy gGmbH
Agrobusiness Niederrhein e.V.
Kreis Wesel
Regenalyze
Funding
The project is funded under the ERDF/JTF Programme NRW 2021–2027 as part of the ‘Regio.NRW – Transformation’ call for proposals.
