As the construction sector faces challenges of significant waste and resource inefficiency, transitioning to a circular economy has become a critical necessity.

The EU-funded CIRCOFIN project aims to accelerate the circular transformation of the construction sector. It supports cities and regions across Europe in developing the infrastructure and financing mechanisms needed to scale up the reuse of construction materials. To achieve this, CirCoFin promotes the expansion of circular logistics, the use of innovative financing concepts and the smarter use of resources to reduce pollution and support the green transformation in urban and rural areas - unlocking the full potential of circular construction while strengthening Europe's industrial sustainability.

At the heart of CirCoFin are Circular Construction Hubs (CCHs) - systems that combine Physical Material Banks (PMBs) and Digital Marketplaces (DMs) to improve traceability, enable reuse and optimise logistics. CirCoFin will demonstrate that CCHs are scalable and financially viable solutions that attract investment while delivering real environmental and economic benefits. The hubs will revolutionise local markets for secondary building materials through physical and digital infrastructures that are compliant with EU taxonomy requirements.

The four demonstration cities are:

• Munich (Germany)
• Copenhagen Metropolitan Region (Denmark)
• Lisbon (Portugal)
• Scottish Central Lowlands (Scotland)

To support replication, CirCoFin is developing a CCH Toolbox and a CCH Cookbook - practical resources to help cities design and operate their own hubs. The project aims to standardise approaches and provide insights for investors, paving the way for roll-out in 30 other cities across Europe. The project also contributes to improving policy and standardisation across Europe to strengthen the basis for circular construction.

To learn more about each city's approach, meet the local partners and discover the project objectives and tools, we invite you to visit the new website: https://circofin.eu

DIN is responsible for the standardization activities within the project. This includes the following tasks: compilation of an overview of published standards relevant for the project, development of a standardization strategy for CIRCOFIN including the analysis of standardization gaps, the identification of needs for new or revised standards, and, where appropriate, the drafting of CEN Workshop Agreements (CWA) with the project partners and any interested experts.

Project website: CirCoFin

For further information please see: Circular Construction Finance

Project duration

01/2025 – 12/2027

Project coordination

Landeshauptstadt München

Project partners

• KOBENHAVNS KOMMUNE
• ZERO WASTE SCOTLAND LIMITED
• LISBOA E-NOVA - AGENCIA DE ENERGIA E AMBIENTE DE LISBOA
• BAYERISCHE FORSCHUNGSALLIANZ BAVARIAN RESEARCH ALLIANCE GMBH
• CONCULAR GMBH; SMITH INNOVATION APS
• Circue ApS
• GEBALIS - GESTAO DO ARRENDAMENTO DA HABITACAO MUNICIPAL DE LISBOA, EM,SA
• UNTERNEHMERTUM PROJEKT GMBH
• BWB CONNECT CLG
• ICLEI EUROPEAN SECRETARIAT GMBH (ICLEI EUROPASEKRETARIAT GMBH)
• DIN DEUTSCHES INSTITUT FUER NORMUNG EV

Project funding

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or of the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.