To achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, it is essential to implement effective measures in building practices, particularly by utilizing long-lived carbon-storing materials such as wood. A circular approach to timber construction, which emphasizes the recovery and reuse of end-of-life timber products, offers a promising solution to prevent increased pressure on forests.
However, current wood resource utilization in the EU remains largely linear, with a significant portion of wood being consumed for short-lived applications like energy production, rather than being retained for long-term use. This inefficiency is compounded by data discrepancies and a regulatory framework that incentivizes biomass combustion over timber reuse.
The ReCLAiMiT project aims to address these challenges by developing novel frameworks and methods to facilitate the large-scale reuse of timber in construction. Key objectives include establishing reliable assessment methods for reclaimed wood, enhancing local manufacturing techniques, and creating supportive market frameworks.
Through innovative approaches such as reverse logistics, bio-based and de-bondable binders, fossil-free joints, NEB aligned computational design tool, data-driven safety assessments, and new business models, ReCLAiMiT seeks to transform timber construction into a more sustainable, circular model, ultimately supporting carbon-neutral building practices and fostering local economies.
The project will validate its innovations across multiple case studies in various countries, focusing on practical implementation and environmental, economic, and social impacts.