European circular construction alliance - adopting circular economy for internationalization and global competitiveness of European SMEs in building and construction

Abstract

To reach ambitious goals of Europe 2020 Strategy, circular economy concepts need to be widely adopted. In terms of construction sector, which generates almost 10% of European GDP but on the other hand consumes enormous quantities of raw materials, other materials and energy, the idea of circular economy can be achieved by strategic, collaborative approach, in the whole value chain and cross-industrial cooperation. It is however a very challenging task because of the sector's complexity and its various players. To meet the challenge European Circular Construction Alliance (ECCA) was established on 12 January 2017, supported by the European Commission (COSME) and the European Cluster Collaboration platform. The main objective of ECCA, as an EU wide meta-cluster, is to establish a long term European Strategic Cluster Partnership (ESCP) supporting clusters and business network organizations, their SMEs and other cluster members collaborating for innovation, market-uptake, and marketing of competitive products, services and technologies in the field of circular construction and supports SMEs in global competition. To reach those goals the thematic areas around the construction and relevant sectors and industries (ecoinnovative, ICT, waste management, energy sector, tourism etc.) have been identified. This will drive collaboration beyond the borders of the building and construction sector and initiate new cross-sectoral collaborative value proposition schemes, new business models, optionally leading to new industrial value chains. Keeping in mind resource efficiency as a key principle of the circular economy, and the re-use as the next one, ECCA is working on strategies and plans to support a cross border innovation project implementation, and search for synergies and best competences of SMEs and other innovation actors. European Lighthouse Circular Construction Solution (ELCCS) concept has been initiated as a basis for the development of globally competitive offers by different EU clusters and their members. The first ELCCS was presented at the 1st ECCA conference in Ljubljana, in January 2017.