The report followed a delegation of 12 members from the Portuguese Habitat Sustentável cluster during their visit to Bergen, Norway, to learn about innovative practices for material reuse.
The visit included representatives from several Portuguese companies, such as Grupo Casais and SECIL, as well as researchers and institutions like the National Laboratory of Energy and Geology (LNEG) and the Institute of Construction from the University of Porto. The group had the opportunity to closely observe projects such as Føniks, where the construction company Frydenbø is renovating a building with the ambition of reusing 100% of the materials—an exemplary application of circular economy principles in the sector.
The report also highlighted the use of cutting-edge technology, such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), which enables inspection and evaluation of concrete integrity, facilitating its reuse. Companies like Birdsview are at the forefront of this transformation, providing new tools for the reuse of construction materials, a field that still faces challenges, especially in terms of regulation and market acceptance.
In Portugal, projects funded by the EEA Grants Environment Programme are also driving sustainability practices in the construction sector. This initiative, along with the support of EEA Grants Portugal, has enabled projects to explore solutions to reduce the environmental impact of civil construction by using reused materials and promoting energy efficiency.
This partnership between Portugal and Norway is an example of the international commitment to sustainability and innovation in the construction sector. The collaboration with the Norwegian Proptech Innovation cluster reflects an exchange of knowledge and practices, showing that circular solutions are being developed at the European level to transform the sector.
As Victor Ferreira, director of the Habitat Sustentável cluster, stated, “we already have sustainability solutions that are among the best in Europe.” This exchange of experiences and technologies is essential to drive the construction sector in Portugal towards a more sustainable future.