The British are launching a project to recycle concrete from destroyed buildings

The Ukrainians, together with the British and the Dutch, are planning to change the approach to the use of construction waste from concrete in the reconstruction process. They will recycle the concrete construction waste generated by the war into high quality components, helping to solve the problem of safe concrete recycling and asbestos management.

Project "Safe, Sustainable, and Swift Reconstruction of Ukraine" (S3) brought together experts from the University of Sheffield, the University of Leeds, the public organization ReThink, the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, the C2CA company, the National University "Lviv Polytechnic", the National University of Water Management and nature management and Eco+Logic companies.

Presentation of the "S3" project to the Minister of Energy Herman Galushchenko and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Great Britain David Cameron, 2024

Reconstruction of Ukraine is a large-scale task that has serious environmental consequences. The global construction industry faces challenges in reducing its environmental impact from cement production, as well as the disposal of construction waste, often resorting to low-quality reuse of crushed secondary concrete, for example in landscaping or as road fill. This approach wastes valuable resources and reduces the environmental and economic benefits of reuse.

The "S3" project is aimed at rethinking this process by implementing and testing a mobile production line. This innovative system recycles recycled concrete into high-value energy-efficient and low-carbon building materials. This makes it possible to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions, promoting a circular approach in the construction sector, reducing waste and maximizing the use of local resources in the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Presentation of the project at the Conference on the Reconstruction of Ukraine in Berlin, June 24

"We will develop and demonstrate innovative technologies that can be applied in global processes of infrastructure recovery after disasters or conflicts, as well as in the restoration of obsolete construction sites." — Professor Theodore Hanein, Head of the Department of Building Materials Science at the University of Leeds.

The project will develop innovative technologies in five key areas:

Rapid identification and evaluation of recycled concrete suitable for recycling.
Mobile equipment for separating concrete components on site.
Optimization of processing processes of separated components.
Life cycle analysis to maximize value chain performance.
Public information campaigns on gender inclusion in construction, social awareness, the dangers of asbestos and the benefits of using resources that were previously considered waste.

The project is the winner of the competition InnovateUkraine, funded by the UK Department for International Development and supported by the UK Embassy in Ukraine.

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