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 project CIRCOFIN aims to address these challenges by establishing investment-ready circular construction hubs (CCHs) in Munich, Copenhagen, Scotland, and Lisbon. These hubs will revolutionize local markets for secondary building materials through both physical and digital infrastructures, aligning with EU Taxonomy requirements. CIRCOFIN's innovative development assistance methodology will produce a comprehensive CCH toolbox to aid in the design and operation of these hubs, creating sound technical, business, and financial plans.

With potential investments exceeding EUR 80 million, CIRCOFIN will demonstrate the scalability and bankability of CCHs, offering lucrative opportunities for financiers. The project aims to standardize approaches and provide insights for investors, paving the way for adoption in 30 additional cities across Europe.

Key components of the CCH toolbox cover various project stages, from pre-feasibility to bankability appraisal, including physical design, digital infrastructure, logistics, business models, and operational plans. The resulting CCH Cookbook will feature concrete facts and figures to enable replication by other cities and regions. Ultimately, CIRCOFIN will enhance the viability of circular economy initiatives in Europe, providing expertise to investors and financial institutions, improving regulations, and facilitating widespread adoption and investment in circular construction hubs.

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.

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.