CESGO!

Preparing the playing field for Circular Economy Service Companies (CESCo)

While there are quite a few Energy Service Companies (ESCos) today, there are only a limited number of Circular Economy Service Companies (CESCos). Many of them are pilot projects, lacking growth from innovator to early adaptor. There is clear social value in guiding manufacturers and building owners to roll out business models for CESCos. 

Through this project, Sureal, in collaboration with Embuild and UHasselt, aims to contribute to this. Specifically, through interviews, workshops, a literature review and case studies, we have collected, processed and structured a lot of useful information for the rollout of CESCos in an orderly way. We make this information available to manufacturers, contractors, building owners ... in the form of a toolbox via our website. Furthermore, we prepared an executive summary of the toolbox that indicates to government bodies where support from their side can contribute to the further market roll-out.

Key results

Key lessons learned

  1. We set up a learning network for steering committee members and other interested parties. We organised four sessions with presentations, a project visit, experience exchange between participants and discussion moments. 
  2. We carried out an environmental and financial analysis of two case studies: the climate ceiling of Interalu and the demountable interior wall of JUUNOO. 
  3. We designed an information toolbox for manufacturers, main contractors and building owners considering a CESCo. The toolbox includes several sections that can also be consulted separately, such as a legal checklist, an overview of steering committee members, sample projects ... 
  4. We prepared an executive summary of the toolbox with a series of policy recommendations.
  1. Action is needed from government agencies. CESCo may only really break through if circular material use becomes mandatory. Governments can also take on an exemplary role. 
  2. Further efforts should be made to share knowledge. Raising awareness, clear communication and promotional marketing can significantly increase the sense of urgency. 
  3. CESCos are not possible in combination with the traditional way of building. More attention should be paid to the harvesting value of materials, detachable connections and increased cooperation between different actors from an early stage. 
  4. There are still many legal obstacles that hamper the rollout of a CESCo.

What will the future bring? 

We make the toolbox available online for all manufacturers of building materials, building owners, main contractors ... interested in as-a-service business models. 

Furthermore, the learning network sparked the interest of various parties in circular construction and circular business models. 

Finally, we are also participating in the living lab circular construction project MASCO.