CIRCAT - Circular techniques procurement package

Development of a circular procurement package for technical installations

In Flanders, circular construction focuses mainly on smart design and thoughtful material choices. However, in terms of technical installations such as electricity, plumbing..., we still see a predominantly linear economic model. To anchor circularity throughout the entire construction process, a circular approach needs to be encouraged in all facets. Moreover, technical installations are more maintenance-sensitive than other building layers, representing a significant potential for more efficient use of those resources and materials. 

With this project, engineering consultancy Boydens engineering, along with VITO/EnergyVille, project owner Revive, and a stakeholder group of industrial market players, wish to develop a set of relevant circular award criteria for technical systems. This set evaluates the circularity of technical installations in a balanced manner, without being dependent on manufacturers or products. It is useful as a supplement to the classic award criteria, to stimulate the market and guide project owners in integrating circular construction principles. Later, it can also carry more weight, to reward steps in the right direction without a deterrent effect. 

We were also able to immediately utilize our developed award package, as our engineering firm is involved in the conceptualization, design, and monitoring of technical installations in (medium) large buildings. Thus, we could already test the feasibility and impact of the package against reality. 

What will the future bring? 

During the project, we noticed that, especially in smaller construction projects, the developed tendering package with the 12 essential parameters was experienced as a barrier during the tendering phase. During this phase, there is significant time pressure, making it difficult to request the necessary input from subcontractors and suppliers while those parties are not yet fixed. Therefore, it would be a promising follow-up project to further develop the tendering package into a self-evaluation tool for contractors. This would allow a contractor, independent of any time pressure, to evaluate whether they are already (sufficiently) considering circular principles in the choice of materials, components, and methods of execution, and to identify areas for improvement.