24 Feb 2025

The construction sector is one of the main contributors to waste and environmental impact. How can we tackle this challenge while also improving the performance of building materials? REWINDS is here to answer this question. This project, in which the TekneHub laboratory is a partner, aims to recycle demolition waste to create sustainable construction solutions. We interviewed key members of the Tecnopolo di Ferrara laboratory working on the project to understand how it works and what its long-term goals are.

How did the REWINDS project originate, and what is its main mission?

The REWINDS project was born out of the need to address two main challenges. On one hand, the demolition and renovation of buildings generate massive amounts of waste, known as Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW), which have a significant environmental impact. On the other hand, there is an increasing demand for sustainable construction materials that comply with increasingly strict European and national sustainability regulations. The goal is to develop high-performance building materials using this waste, assessing their environmental impact to create products that, ideally, can match the performance of those made from virgin raw materials.

So, the idea is to turn waste into a valuable resource for construction?

Exactly. Demolition waste, often seen as a problem, can become an asset. REWINDS focuses on developing construction materials by recovering aggregates, geopolymers, and insulating materials. The objective is to create products suitable for both new buildings and renovations, considering not only morphological and dimensional aspects to integrate them with existing structures but also performance criteria. This approach can contribute to greater circularity in the construction sector, reducing the need for virgin materials and promoting a more efficient use of resources.

What specific contributions does TekneHub bring to the project?

TekneHub plays a key role in the project, focusing mainly on evaluating the environmental impact and carbon footprint of the technical solutions developed using CDW. The research also involves analyzing their embodied carbon to promote their reuse as secondary raw materials in construction. This approach supports the circular economy and potentially can reduce dependence on virgin resources, improving the efficiency and sustainability of the sector. Additionally, TekneHub collaborates on the development and refinement of technical solutions, assessing their potential application in building envelopes while considering construction, morphological, and dimensional aspects related to installation and integration with other components.

What are the expected outcomes of the project?

The REWINDS project has ambitious and far-reaching goals. One of the main objectives is to develop innovative technical solutions for recycling construction and demolition waste, integrating them into both new construction and renovation projects. This will lead to a broader use of sustainable materials, contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions in the construction sector while promoting a more circular economy and a more efficient use of natural resources. REWINDS aims to facilitate the transition toward greener buildings with high energy efficiency and low environmental impact, playing a role in global decarbonization and improving air quality and overall well-being.

Who is working on the project, and specifically, who represents TekneHub?

Collaboration is key to the project’s success. The project is led by Certimac, with partners including Centro Ceramico (CC), ISSMC-CNR, and TekneHub, alongside several local organizations that have expressed interest in staying updated on the project’s progress. The TekneHub team consists of architects from the Department of Architecture at the University of Ferrara, including Valentina Frighi, researcher and scientific coordinator of the project, Emanuele Piaia, associate professor, Luca Morganti, research fellow, Roberto Di Giulio, full professor, and Theo Zaffagnini, associate professor. The team members have expertise in architectural technologies, focusing on innovation in construction techniques, building process management, and strategies for ensuring quality control and energy efficiency in both new and existing buildings.

The project is co-funded by the Emilia-Romagna Region under the PR-FESR 2021-2027 program, with a contribution of €721,615.00. This funding supports the development and industrial implementation of the technologies studied within the project.

What is the long-term vision of REWINDS?

The REWINDS project has a clear vision: to possibly revolutionize the construction sector by making the recycling of construction waste a standard, sustainable practice. At the very least, it aims to demonstrate that using secondary raw materials is a viable, if not superior, alternative to virgin materials in terms of sustainability. The ultimate goal is to contribute to a construction industry that is increasingly sustainable, reducing environmental impact and improving the quality of life in urban areas.

REWINDS is not just an answer to an environmental necessity but also a real opportunity to build a greener, more sustainable future in the construction sector. With the commitment of its partners and the support of businesses, the project could truly represent a turning point for the future of construction.