How do you make the construction sector more sustainable while keeping costs under control? The BC-Win project, supported by the Belgian company JUUNOO, proves that circular interior walls are not only technically strong, but also economically viable. With the support of the BBBC programme, funded by the European recovery plan NextGenerationEU, the FPS Public Health is promoting circular innovation. As such, we are working towards more efficient use of resources, less waste and a lower environmental impact.
A Simple and Adaptable Circular Technique
At the heart of the project is an innovative technique using plasterboards which can be clicked into place and subsequently disassembled, without losing quality. This system is quick to install, keeps labour costs low and ensures that the residual value of the materials stays high. It builds on years of experience with modular systems and is suitable not only for the office market but also in sectors such as healthcare, education and retail.
In sectors such as healthcare, walls also need to meet strict requirements for acoustics, fire safety and the integration of pipes. The European Construction Products Regulation (CPR) plays a role in this regard: this regulation requires construction products to clearly state how they score in the area of safety, health and the environment, among other things. For BC-Win, this means that the circular walls not only have to be innovative, but also formally comply with these European product standards.
Partnership and Knowledge Sharing as Drivers of Success
This project relies on broad collaboration: construction companies bring practical experience, an architectural firm refines the designs, research institutions test materials and the carbon impact, while the consultancy partners analyse the economic aspect. This combination allows the team to assess whether reuse is not only technically but also financially feasible.
The circular value calculations take into account three factors: the residual value of the materials, the cost of disassembling and reusing them, and the risk that the assumptions will turn out inaccurate. This method shows whether reuse makes economic sense, and makes the comparison between linear and circular solutions transparent. How this balance turns out varies by sector. In offices, which are renovated on average every seven years, users recoup the higher material costs more quickly. In the healthcare sector, with renovation cycles of 10 to 15 years, the gains are spread over a longer period. That is why the project works with a tailored business case for each sector.
BC-Win not only develops a technical system, but also provides insights and methods that others can apply. As project manager Chris Van de Voorde explains, "Circular construction only has a future when it makes as much financial sense as new construction. This insight can help other companies look at their own products and processes differently."
Space to Make Innovation a Reality
The support of the BBBC programme played a crucial role in the development of BC-Win. It gave the project a chance to spread risk across multiple partners, thereby creating the space for innovation. These funds made it possible to conduct large-scale tests, including construction of a 2,000 m² demonstration building with only circular walls, and technical validation such as fire tests.
