March 18, 2024
Gruner Participates in a Pioneering Project on the Circular Economy
As part of the "Swiss Circular Construction Digital Ecosystem" (SWIRCULAR) project, Swiss research and industry partners are striving for a paradigm shift from a linear to a circular construction industry. Gruner is making a substantial contribution to this project.
In Switzerland, the construction sector is responsible for over 70 % of domestic material consumption, almost a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions, and 80 % of waste generation. Numerous innovations and initiatives are working to reduce emissions and preserve resources.
The SWIRCULAR project, supported by Innosuisse – the Swiss Innovation Promotion Agency – aims to develop and implement circular economy strategies through legal, economic, and technical innovations. The targeted solutions aim to prevent unnecessary demolition, reduce waste, cut greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production and disposal of building materials, and extend the lifespan of the resources used. New recycling concepts are to be standardized and implemented on a large scale.
SWIRCULAR is being carried out by a consortium made up of ETH Zurich, EMPA, Bern University of Applied Sciences, and ZHAW, as well as implementation partners from industry, and covers all phases of the life cycle. Gruner is contributing to SWIRCULAR with technical solutions, personnel services, and financial contributions to three sub-projects.
As a technologically leading engineering company, Gruner aims to be at the forefront of rethinking current practices and laying the foundations for a circular construction industry.
