From 3 to 5 December, EBC was in the Netherlands to follow the SUM4Re project under the Horizon Europe programme. This event, hosted by The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS), combined several meetings and training sessions to discuss progress and align strategies among partners, and build capacity among participants.
Led by project coordinators from the University of UVIGO, SUM4Re is developing software tools and databases enhanced by Artificial intelligence and blockchain to robustly identify and track construction materials throughout their lifecycle. By addressing the circular economy and leveraging digital solutions, SUM4Re seeks to enable high-value reuse of materials like concrete, timber, steel, and asphalt while upskilling the workforce. The project has three pilot sites in Norway, the Netherlands, and Spain which focus on diverse construction typologies — residential, industrial, and infrastructure. These pilots will validate SUM4Re’s methodologies and strategies while providing real-world contexts to develop skills and deploy solutions.
Public seminar: Training and Technology
After two days of internal discussions, the SUM4RE partnership was joined by EBC president Philip van Nieuwenhuizen for a public seminar and training sessions. This public seminar organized by the Spanish learning specialist Estudios RAFER in collaboration with THUAS was dedicated to knowledge-sharing and practical training, highlighting the cutting-edge technologies driving sustainable urban systems. Professor Rizal Sebastian from The Hague University of Applied Sciences chaired the meeting, including interventions of the municipality of The Hague and demolition and photonics experts.
The training sessions featured three key innovations that align with SUM4Re project’s mission to reduce waste and enhance material reuse in construction:
- Muon Flux Detectors, by GSCAN: This technology focuses on non-invasive structural diagnostics, enabling precise underground mapping and structural assessments. Its potential applications in pre-demolition assessments and urban development planning were highlighted.
- Hyperspectral Imaging Sensors, by VTT: This tool identifies material properties, aiding in sorting, recycling, and resource optimization. Its utility in evaluating construction waste for high-value reuse was a major takeaway.
- LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) Sensors, by Spectral Industries: This tool demonstrated its ability to provide real-time material analysis. This innovation supports efficient sorting of metals and other materials, reducing dependency on raw materials.
Following the demonstrations, attendees engaged in an open discussion evaluating the take aways from each technology, addressing specific industry challenges, such as waste identification and infrastructure integrity assessments, exploring their potential to complement traditional practices. Additionally, discussions highlighted potential barriers to adoption, including concerns about cost, scalability, and the integration of these technologies into existing systems, providing valuable feedback to refine and enhance their implementation in real-world scenarios.
Future plans
The journey of SUM4Re is only beginning, with partners set to reconvene in Norway in June 2025, and later in Brussels in November 2025. Both meetings will also feature public training sessions. These upcoming events will build on the momentum of the Hague gathering, fostering further collaboration and capacity-building to ensure the SUM4Re project delivers on its ambition of a more sustainable and efficient construction sector.
 | To learn more about SUM4Re, please visit the project’s website |
 | SUM4RE has received funding from the Horizon Europe research and innovation program under grant agreement no. 101129961. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HADEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. |