Circularify

AI Quick Summary

Circularify aims at improving resource management in building dismantling processes. The team collaborates with partners such as Gruner AG, Roche, Hilti AG, and the Liechtenstein Builders Association. Roche's flagship "Vision Südareal" provides a material list of six buildings as a foundation for developing solutions. End of booster, the team delivers an optimized demolition process and a decision-making tool, attracting third-party funding through strong partnerships and a compelling value proposition. Circularify – Closing the loop on sustainable buildingsWhat problem would you like to solve?The problem we aim to solve with the Circularify project is the inefficient and unsustainable management of resources in the dismantling process of a building. Currently, there is a lack of transparency in the dismantling process, leading to suboptimal decisions about material disposal, recycling, and reuse. Older buildings, in particular, have not been designed with dismantling in mind, and their material composition is often not digitized or documented, resulting in valuable resources being wasted or improperly managed.Who will benefit from your solution and how?Our solution will benefit multiple stakeholders, including the planet, prosperity, and people in the following ways:Planet: Our solution helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and material extraction by promoting the circular economy and reducing waste. By recovering valuable resources from demolition sites, we reduce the need for new resource extraction and lower the environmental impact of resource extraction. Additionally, our approach promotes recycling and reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills, further reducing greenhouse gas emissions.Prosperity: Our solution benefits contractors and other companies in the construction industry by creating employment opportunities, generating innovation, and increasing competitiveness. By adopting our approach, these companies can reduce costs associated with waste disposal and resource extraction while improving their environmental performance, making them more attractive to customers and investors.People: Our approach improves the health, well-being, and living conditions of employees, communities, and customers by reducing the negative environmental impacts of the construction industry. By promoting the circular economy and reducing waste, our approach creates a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment for all. Additionally, by creating employment opportunities and generating innovation, our approach benefits local communities and fosters economic development.Who are the existing persons/companies in your team and what is their role?Team overview: https://ibb.co/z8CTmQjTeam Lead: Dr. Maximilian Richter from Switzerland Innovation and Dr. Justus von Grone from Hochschule St. Gallen.Expert Team: Robin Kunz from Roche, Katja Hauser from pom+, Ullrich Dickgiesser from Gruner AG, and Andreas Loser from Hilitbau.Research: Reto Largo from EMPA/Nest and Christian Opitz from HSG - Energiemanagement.With our existing team, we are able to cover the entire value chain and work collaboratively to optimize processes and solve problems. Dr. Maximilian Richter and Dr. Justus von Grone provide leadership and direction for the team, while our expert team members bring their expertise from their respective industries to the project. Reto Largo and Christian Opitz lead the research efforts to ensure that our solutions are evidence-based and effective. Together, our team is well-equipped to tackle the challenges ahead and drive innovation in our field.How does your challenge have a positive impact on the planet (e.g., material reduction, CO2 emission reduction)?Cost2Value of demolition materials: Our approach enables the cost-effective recovery of valuable resources from demolition sites, reducing the need for new raw materials and thereby reducing the environmental impact of resource extraction.Increased circularity and sustainability of buildings: By promoting the recovery and reuse of demolition materials, we help increase the circularity and sustainability of buildings in the demolition process.Increased reusability of raw materials: Our approach increases the reusability of raw materials, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and the need for new resource extraction.Optimized recycling processes: Our approach helps optimize the recycling process by improving sorting, separation, and recovery techniques for demolition materials, reducing the environmental impact of recycling and making it more cost-effectiveHas your idea been tested before?Gruner AG, with whom we collaborate, addresses the problem's interfaces and has developed a tool that allows us to build upon and access data from it. This makes it possible to quickly develop a minimum viable product (MVP). A material list of 6 buildings from Roche's flagship project "Vision Südareal" is available, providing a solid foundation for building upon existing data and developing new tools.Additionally, Hilti AG from Liechtenstein is highly interested in contributing use cases and sharing their know-how. The Liechtenstein Builders Association is also involved in the project and has agreed to bring in projects that they have already developed.What are you planning on working on throughout the booster (e.g., developing the business model, building an initial prototype, material for prototyping, etc.)? What will you deliver at the end of the booster?Throughout the booster, our focus will be on developing an optimized process for demolition and providing a decision-making tool to help stakeholders along the value chain make informed decisions about recycling, disposal, and reuse of demolition materials. Specifically, we plan to work on the following:Developing an optimized demolition process: We will work on creating a process for demolition that maximizes the recovery of valuable resources and minimizes waste. This will involve identifying best practices and developing guidelines for demolition that take into account the potential for recycling and reuse of materials.Building a decision-making tool: We will create a tool to help stakeholders make informed decisions about recycling, disposal, and reuse of demolition materials. This tool will be based on the latest data and industry best practices and will be designed to be user-friendly and accessible to a wide range of stakeholders.Developing an open innovation approach: We will adopt an open innovation approach that involves bringing together stakeholders from across the value chain to collaborate on developing the best possible solutions for demolition. This will involve engaging with contractors, architects, engineers, and other stakeholders to gather input and feedback throughout the process.At the end of the booster, we aim to deliver a fully developed optimized demolition process, a decision-making tool for recycling, disposal, and reuse of demolition materials, and a tool to help stakeholders make informed decisions. These tools will be designed to be scalable, adaptable, and accessible to a wide range of stakeholders across the construction industry.What are you expecting from the booster (e.g., looking for specific partners, expert support, etc.)?We have several expectations from the booster program, including:Access to Expert Support: We hope to gain access to expert support in areas such as circular economy, construction, materials science, and sustainability. We believe that the expertise of these experts will help us refine our approach, develop our solutions, and make informed decisions throughout the program.Networking Opportunities: We hope to connect with other startups, investors, and stakeholders in the construction industry who are also focused on sustainability and circularity. We believe that these connections will help us build partnerships, expand our network, and generate new ideas and opportunities.Access to Resources: We hope to gain access to resources such as funding, mentorship, and training to help us develop our solutions, refine our business model, and scale our operations.Looking for Specific Partners: We are looking for specific partners who can provide access to demolition sites, recycling facilities, and other resources needed to develop and test our solutions. We are also looking for partners who can help us bring our solutions to market, such as construction companies, waste management companies, and other stakeholders in the value chain.Overall, we are excited about the potential of the booster program to help us accelerate our progress and bring our solutions to market. We believe that the program will provide us with the resources, support, and networking opportunities needed to take our project to the next level.How will you attract the 3rd party funding (10% of the total funding amount)?To attract third-party funding, we will leverage our team's expertise, build strong partnerships, develop a compelling value proposition, and engage with potential investors. Our team members from different companies can also contribute to the funding if we create added value for them. With the Builders Association of Liechtenstein, we have the necessary support from those who are also willing to invest in the project.

Project Idea Metadata

Project Idea Name: Circularify
Date: 4/3/2023 8:04:58 AM
Administrators:
- Maximilian Richter

Project Idea Description

Circularify – Closing the loop on sustainable buildings

What problem would you like to solve?

The problem we aim to solve with the Circularify project is the inefficient and unsustainable management of resources in the dismantling process of a building. Currently, there is a lack of transparency in the dismantling process, leading to suboptimal decisions about material disposal, recycling, and reuse. Older buildings, in particular, have not been designed with dismantling in mind, and their material composition is often not digitized or documented, resulting in valuable resources being wasted or improperly managed.

Who will benefit from your solution and how?

Our solution will benefit multiple stakeholders, including the planet, prosperity, and people in the following ways:

Planet: Our solution helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and material extraction by promoting the circular economy and reducing waste. By recovering valuable resources from demolition sites, we reduce the need for new resource extraction and lower the environmental impact of resource extraction. Additionally, our approach promotes recycling and reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills, further reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Prosperity: Our solution benefits contractors and other companies in the construction industry by creating employment opportunities, generating innovation, and increasing competitiveness. By adopting our approach, these companies can reduce costs associated with waste disposal and resource extraction while improving their environmental performance, making them more attractive to customers and investors.

People: Our approach improves the health, well-being, and living conditions of employees, communities, and customers by reducing the negative environmental impacts of the construction industry. By promoting the circular economy and reducing waste, our approach creates a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment for all. Additionally, by creating employment opportunities and generating innovation, our approach benefits local communities and fosters economic development.

Who are the existing persons/companies in your team and what is their role?

Team overview: https://ibb.co/z8CTmQj

Team Lead: Dr. Maximilian Richter from Switzerland Innovation and Dr. Justus von Grone from Hochschule St. Gallen.

Expert Team: Robin Kunz from Roche, Katja Hauser from pom+, Ullrich Dickgiesser from Gruner AG, and Andreas Loser from Hilitbau.

Research: Reto Largo from EMPA/Nest and Christian Opitz from HSG - Energiemanagement.

With our existing team, we are able to cover the entire value chain and work collaboratively to optimize processes and solve problems. Dr. Maximilian Richter and Dr. Justus von Grone provide leadership and direction for the team, while our expert team members bring their expertise from their respective industries to the project. Reto Largo and Christian Opitz lead the research efforts to ensure that our solutions are evidence-based and effective. Together, our team is well-equipped to tackle the challenges ahead and drive innovation in our field.

How does your challenge have a positive impact on the planet (e.g., material reduction, CO2 emission reduction)?

Cost2Value of demolition materials: Our approach enables the cost-effective recovery of valuable resources from demolition sites, reducing the need for new raw materials and thereby reducing the environmental impact of resource extraction.

Increased circularity and sustainability of buildings: By promoting the recovery and reuse of demolition materials, we help increase the circularity and sustainability of buildings in the demolition process.

Increased reusability of raw materials: Our approach increases the reusability of raw materials, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and the need for new resource extraction.

Optimized recycling processes: Our approach helps optimize the recycling process by improving sorting, separation, and recovery techniques for demolition materials, reducing the environmental impact of recycling and making it more cost-effective

Has your idea been tested before?

Gruner AG, with whom we collaborate, addresses the problem's interfaces and has developed a tool that allows us to build upon and access data from it. This makes it possible to quickly develop a minimum viable product (MVP). A material list of 6 buildings from Roche's flagship project "Vision Südareal" is available, providing a solid foundation for building upon existing data and developing new tools.

Additionally, Hilti AG from Liechtenstein is highly interested in contributing use cases and sharing their know-how. The Liechtenstein Builders Association is also involved in the project and has agreed to bring in projects that they have already developed.

What are you planning on working on throughout the booster (e.g., developing the business model, building an initial prototype, material for prototyping, etc.)? What will you deliver at the end of the booster?

Throughout the booster, our focus will be on developing an optimized process for demolition and providing a decision-making tool to help stakeholders along the value chain make informed decisions about recycling, disposal, and reuse of demolition materials. Specifically, we plan to work on the following:

Developing an optimized demolition process: We will work on creating a process for demolition that maximizes the recovery of valuable resources and minimizes waste. This will involve identifying best practices and developing guidelines for demolition that take into account the potential for recycling and reuse of materials.

Building a decision-making tool: We will create a tool to help stakeholders make informed decisions about recycling, disposal, and reuse of demolition materials. This tool will be based on the latest data and industry best practices and will be designed to be user-friendly and accessible to a wide range of stakeholders.

Developing an open innovation approach: We will adopt an open innovation approach that involves bringing together stakeholders from across the value chain to collaborate on developing the best possible solutions for demolition. This will involve engaging with contractors, architects, engineers, and other stakeholders to gather input and feedback throughout the process.

At the end of the booster, we aim to deliver a fully developed optimized demolition process, a decision-making tool for recycling, disposal, and reuse of demolition materials, and a tool to help stakeholders make informed decisions. These tools will be designed to be scalable, adaptable, and accessible to a wide range of stakeholders across the construction industry.

What are you expecting from the booster (e.g., looking for specific partners, expert support, etc.)?

We have several expectations from the booster program, including:

Access to Expert Support: We hope to gain access to expert support in areas such as circular economy, construction, materials science, and sustainability. We believe that the expertise of these experts will help us refine our approach, develop our solutions, and make informed decisions throughout the program.

Networking Opportunities: We hope to connect with other startups, investors, and stakeholders in the construction industry who are also focused on sustainability and circularity. We believe that these connections will help us build partnerships, expand our network, and generate new ideas and opportunities.

Access to Resources: We hope to gain access to resources such as funding, mentorship, and training to help us develop our solutions, refine our business model, and scale our operations.

Looking for Specific Partners: We are looking for specific partners who can provide access to demolition sites, recycling facilities, and other resources needed to develop and test our solutions. We are also looking for partners who can help us bring our solutions to market, such as construction companies, waste management companies, and other stakeholders in the value chain.

Overall, we are excited about the potential of the booster program to help us accelerate our progress and bring our solutions to market. We believe that the program will provide us with the resources, support, and networking opportunities needed to take our project to the next level.

How will you attract the 3rd party funding (10% of the total funding amount)?

To attract third-party funding, we will leverage our team's expertise, build strong partnerships, develop a compelling value proposition, and engage with potential investors. Our team members from different companies can also contribute to the funding if we create added value for them. With the Builders Association of Liechtenstein, we have the necessary support from those who are also willing to invest in the project.