All partners in the project.
The research was largely funded by VLAIO, through the TETRA programme (practice-oriented research).
In addition, some twenty companies and organisations from the field co-funded the project. We also received input from the wider field, from people who shared their expertise through the user group meetings or the focus group workshops.
There was also contact with other research projects carrying out similar and/or complementary research.
Main funding
TETRA projects aim to translate recently available knowledge into concrete, useful information so that the target group can innovate faster and more efficiently.
It is a programme for practice-oriented research by universities of applied sciences and integrated programmes at universities, for businesses and non-profit organisations.
Co-funding and user group
A user group of companies, organisations, designers and policymakers from the field provided input from their own perspective.
This project was shaped in part by their input and feedback.
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Collaboration with other research projects.
During our research, we got in touch with other, similar research projects: the Dutch project 'Circulair Ketenproject' and the Brussels research project 'ISOL'ution'.
Circulair Ketenproject focuses specifically on the reuse of PIR/PUR insulation boards, because of their technical suitability for a second life, relatively easy dismantling, the potential reduction of environmental impact in the production and waste phases, and economic opportunities for demolition contractors/dismantling companies.
The project aims to explore a working system for dismantling, collecting, selecting, inspecting and applying these boards in roof, facade and possibly floor insulation. The project examines logistical, organisational and financial aspects, including procedures for dismantling, quality assessment, certification and market application.
Within this project, the report 'Hergebruik PIR/PUR-isolatieplaten, blauwdruk voor een haalbaar en betaalbaar hergebruikssysteem' (Reuse of PIR/PUR insulation boards: a blueprint for a feasible and affordable reuse system) has been published.
A 'Oogsthandleiding PIR/PUR-isolatieplaten' (harvesting guide for PIR/PUR insulation boards) has also been released.
The ISOL'ution project (2022 - 2025) aimed to test, in practice, the reuse of insulation material from demolition work in the context of renovations at individual scale. The project was supported by Brussels Environment (Leefmilieu Brussel) as part of the RENOLAB.ID programme and was carried out by La Rue asbl, ULB and Casa Blanco.
In the project, materials were recovered from demolition sites, then sorted, stored, tested (in particular for their thermal conductivity) and finally reused in homes due to be renovated. The aim was twofold: to test the technical feasibility of this reuse approach and to map the obstacles and opportunities for large-scale implementation.
The ISOL'ution renovation factsheets are practical documents developed on the basis of pilot projects. They provide technical advice, feedback and concrete recommendations for integrating reused insulation material into different types of building projects.
