Build Circular

Parastruct

Build Circular

Circular and affordable construction

Innsbruck, Österreich

AUT

For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models

The construction sector stands at the epicentre of a compounding global crisis. As the world population grows to 9.8 billion by 2050, annual construction output is projected to double to €20 trillion. Yet to meet climate goals, global CO₂ emissions must be halved in the same timeframe. Europe’s construction industry, though waste-rich, is resource-poor, and urgently needs to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and environmental footprint while addressing material scarcity. Construction is responsible for 38% of global CO₂ emissions, more than all cars combined. Cement production alone emits nearly 8% of global CO₂, and current recycling practices barely scratch the surface. The sector creates half of Europe’s total waste, with over 30% of the material too fine to be recycled. Most of this ends up in landfills, worsening land degradation and biodiversity loss. Meanwhile, raw material extraction—especially of sand and gravel—erodes ecosystems and disrupts communities. This environmental emergency is rapidly becoming a social one: the true cost of cement is rising toward €300 per ton, tripling from historic levels. This jeopardises affordable housing and equitable infrastructure development, deepening social inequality worldwide. Without a fundamental change in handling waste and materials, sustainable construction will remain inaccessible to the majority.

We turn construction waste and industrial byproducts into new, sustainable building materials—cutting CO₂ emissions, saving resources, and making green construction affordable. Our approach combines three breakthrough solutions: Binder Recycling: We have developed a method to recover and reuse the active components of old cement from demolished concrete. Instead of sending this waste to landfills, we extract valuable binders through a low-energy chemical process. These recycled binders replace conventional cement, one of the biggest sources of CO₂ in construction. Industrial Slags: We use byproducts from the steel industry—like slags—that are usually discarded. These slags are mineral-rich and can replace traditional raw materials in building products. Using them prevents waste and avoids the need to mine new materials. Biomaterials: We mix plant-based materials such as hemp, cork, and agricultural residues with recycled binders. These renewable fibres add insulation, reduce weight, and improve building carbon storage. Our technologies create a new generation of circular, low-carbon construction materials. They can be molded, 3D printed, or poured like concrete—offering builders and architects sustainable options without sacrificing performance or design freedom.

Our solution serves both industry actors—mineral binder producers, building material manufacturers, construction companies, real estate developers, and homebuilders—and social groups directly affected by the affordability and sustainability of housing and infrastructure. As cement prices rise and raw materials become scarce, construction costs rise, pushing affordable housing further out of reach for low- and middle-income families. This fuels inequality in cities and rural areas: sustainable, energy-efficient homes become a luxury, while vulnerable communities are left in unsafe, poorly insulated, or unaffordable housing. By creating low-carbon, cost-effective construction materials from recycled waste and biomaterials, we enable our industry partners to lower building costs and reduce climate impact, without compromising quality. This unlocks access to greener, more affordable homes for first-time buyers, tenants, and social housing initiatives. We also work with regional stakeholders and municipalities to localise production, creating green jobs and circular supply chains in underserved areas, especially those with high waste streams and unemployment. In short, our solution supports the transformation of the construction industry and the social inclusion of disadvantaged populations, making sustainable housing and infrastructure a right, not a privilege.