Creating a circular future for composites in construction is about far more than developing new recycling technologies. It requires an entire ecosystem – manufacturers, recyclers, designers, certifiers, regulators and end users – to move in the same direction.
This has been the focus of the European Circular Composites Alliance (ECCA)’s Construction Working Group during the first half of 2026. The group’s progress, and next actions, were presented during the ECCA Mid-Year Review meeting in June.
Understanding the challenge
Recognising that meaningful progress begins with a shared understanding of the challenge, the Working Group first concentrated on establishing a common picture of the current landscape. Members reviewed available data on composites waste streams in the construction sector, examined existing recycling technologies, and discussed how recycled composite materials could be applied both within construction and in construction applications originating from other industries.
This work has helped establish an important foundation. Rather than debating individual technologies, the group has focused on understanding where the greatest opportunities exist and what barriers must be addressed before circular solutions can be implemented at scale.
Another key priority has been broadening participation across the value chain. Through stakeholder mapping and member surveys, the Working Group identified organisations and expertise that are still missing from the discussion. Expanding participation beyond material suppliers and recyclers to include construction companies, designers, dismantlers, certification bodies and other downstream stakeholders will be essential if circular composite solutions are to become commercially viable and widely adopted.
A recurring theme throughout the group’s discussions has been that there is unlikely to be a single solution capable of addressing every construction application. Instead, the future will require a portfolio of complementary technologies, materials and business models, supported by common standards and practical certification pathways.
A practical roadmap
The Working Group is now entering a new phase. Having established a shared understanding of the challenges and identified the stakeholders needed to address them, attention is turning towards implementation. Priorities for the second half of the year include developing a practical roadmap, advancing discussions around certification of recycled composite materials and translating strategy into real-world demonstration projects.
By bringing together expertise from across the construction value chain and creating a common framework for collaboration, the Construction Working Group is helping establish the foundations needed for recycled composite materials to become an accepted and trusted part of tomorrow’s built environment.
Join the Working Group
Julia Minici of Afterwind and Lorenzo Grazia of Polynt Group guide the Construction Working Group.
Membership is free and open to stakeholders across the value chain. Join the Construction Working Group and drive the change – don’t let the change drive you.
The European Circular Composites Alliance (ECCA), a sectorial alliance of EuCIA, was launched in March 2025 in partnership with JEC to establish a circular economy for composites in Europe.
Read the Mid-Year Review updates from the four other ECCA Working Group:
