As part of Drees & Sommer, the Environmental Protection Encouragement Agency (EPEA) is an internationally active research and consultancy institute that supports actors and companies to become more circular. Michael Moradiellos del Molino, head of real estate BeNeLux & France, talks to us about the future of circular construction, the Cradle to Cradle approach and the importance of collaboration.
You’ve been EPEA’s head of real estate BeNeLux for the past three years. What changes in circular construction methods in Luxembourg have you observed during this time?
In terms of circular construction, Luxembourg is still on a learning path. There have been several pilot projects such as the Luxembourg Pavillion of the Expo in Dubai that represent the intention to move towards a circular economy, but generally speaking, the market is not ready yet.
However, we are moving in the right direction, with the implementation of the PCDS, the Product Circular Data Sheet. Thanks to the PCDS, information on the materials are collected and thanks to the introduction of the data by the manufacturers, all the information is visible and accessible to all the stakeholders in a structured way.
Also, since the implementation of the Green Deal, there has been a change in the European Taxonomy. This has led to an increase in Green Building construction projects, as investors are looking for buildings that comply with the Paris Agreement in order to get access to green financing.
“In the real estate sector, we work on ensuring that buildings have the highest positive carbon
footprint […]”Michael Moradiellos del Molino, head of real estate BeNeLux & France at Drees & Sommer
What is Drees & Sommers’ approach to improving circular construction methods in real estate?
The aim is to compare different strategies from different countries, and if, for example, a step of the process is still not possible to be done in Luxembourg, then maybe it is in France, as there are different stakeholders and regulations.
We can profit from the regional collaboration and finally possibly implement it in Luxembourg anyway. In this sense, it is all about cooperating and making sure we are on the same page, as clients are looking for case studies. That’s a big advantage!
Central to your work is the Cradle to Cradle design framework, that EPEA calls ‘a method to create added value for people, the environment and business’. How does it work? And how can businesses benefit from it?
The Cradle to Cradle framework is used for all our projects. It is divided into three main principles: no more waste, using all available resources and diversity. These make up the base.
In the industry sector, we improve the products in order to make them safe – compliant with the regulations – and eliminate the concept of waste in the production and manufacturing process when recycled raw material is re-used for new productions. If we manage to do that, we reduce complexity, we reduce risk, we generate better products and create a real added value for society and we will finally have a real impact on society.
In the real estate sector, we work on ensuring that buildings have the lowest possible carbon footprint possible. Here, Cradle to Cradle and Urban Mining are possible options, but we also try to have a 360° vision for each project and adapt and develop new solutions. We are trying to move in the direction of buildings being seen as material banks for the constructions of the future.
Editor’s note: This article is brought to you by Drees & Sommer and reflects only the opinion of the author.
This article was first published in the Silicon Luxembourg magazine. Read the full digital version of the magazine on our website, here. You can also choose to receive a hard copy at the office or at home. Subscribe now.
