Cyprus joins European HUBS4BUILD project for sustainable construction materials

Cyprus is participating in the European project HUBS4BUILD, an initiative designed to reduce waste and the environmental footprint of the construction sector by converting discarded materials into sustainable building resources. The Cypriot Research and Studies Centre AKTI will spearhead local efforts in the Limassol district, focusing on utilizing Posidonia oceanica (seagrass) remnants and excavated soil for insulation and building applications.

Beyond domestic operations, AKTI will coordinate similar waste-to-product initiatives across Austria, Hungary, Serbia, and Ukraine. Supported by the Horizon Europe program, the project involves a diverse network of universities, research institutions, technology firms, and civil society organizations from 13 European nations. The project aims to establish 13 regional "Circularity Hubs" across these countries to facilitate the transition toward circular construction.

Key solutions to be tested include insulation derived from seagrass, structural components made from bread waste, and insulation boards produced from various food industry byproducts. These efforts seek to repurpose materials that currently end up in landfills, aiming for a more sustainable construction industry throughout Europe.