CirCoFin - Demonstrating the viability of integrating reused materials

CirCoFin, or otherwise Circular Construction Finance, is a collaboration project comprised of thirteen partners from across Europe and coordinated by the City of Munich. The project is funded with €6 million by the European Union through Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI). Four exemplary cities and regions will roll out concept demonstrations, these are: Munich, Greater Copenhagen, Scotland and Lisbon. The project aims to demonstrate the validity of reuse hubs by developing bankable hubs. 

Reuse hubs are key to unlocking a circular future. They are a combination of physical material banks and digital marketplaces where cities can source materials for reuse. To enable smooth operations, alignment across many services must occur. These include storage and logistics, materials preparation, scanning and cataloguing, as well as recycling and upcycling.

In this project Smith's role is:

• To identify best practice reuse hubs across Europe, focusing on operational, technical, business and financial elements
• Developing a methodology for designing suitable operational models for future reuse hubs to inform a cookbook for the establishment of bankable reuse hubs 
• Participating in the development of a complete step-by-step guide for establishing reuse hubs
• Assisting in stakeholder mapping, engagement, value chain mapping, resource mapping and feasibility studies to different extents within the four showcases

Smith's role in the coalition will for some parts be task leader, while in other parts we will use our expertise to improve the collective understanding and feasibility of reuse hubs. This includes assisting in the development of a step-by-step guide, whilst assisting the preparation of bankable reuse hub projects in different European contexts.

Currently inhibiting factors to the alignment of these services include unsupportive regulations and law, limited market size and a slow-moving construction industry. This project aims to prove the viability and cost-efficiency of the reuse hub-solution, facilitating reductions in material waste in local and regional markets. In doing so CirCoFin aims to illustrate its reliability and attract investment from financiers. 

The project aims to demonstrate success and raise awareness to cities and municipalities, construction companies, insurance companies and other stakeholders in the circular economy.