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In the CEScaleUP research project, the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, together with the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien), the Research Association of the Austrian Building Materials Industry (FBI) and Meixner ZT, is developing a digital ecosystem that promotes the sustainable use of building materials and facilitates the recycling of components. Given the goal of renovating around half of Austria's building stock by 2030, innovative concepts such as urban mining and the digital circular economy are indispensable. This is exactly where CEScaleUP comes in, providing key solutions for the transformation of the construction industry.
"With CEScaleUP, we want to build a bridge between research and practice – and thus enable real transformation," explains Gundula Weber, AIT expert for digitalisation in construction. "Our goal is to strengthen the circular economy in construction through digital tools and new business models."
Digital recording and evaluation of building components as a basis for reuse
At the heart of the project is the development of a standardised digital logbook for buildings that documents the entire life cycle of building components. With the help of orthophotos and AI-supported analysis, building components are to be recorded in a semi-automated process and their recycling potential assessed. The solution is BIM-compatible and is also intended to stimulate demand for secondary building materials in the future. "Only when data is available can supply and demand for reusable materials come together. This creates economic incentives and reduces environmental impact at the same time," says Weber. "In the long term, this also strengthens Austria's competitiveness as a business location."
Interdisciplinary approach combines innovation and practice
The combination of technological innovation, practical application and strategic standardisation in the project team aims to establish a new understanding of processes in the construction industry – and thus pave the way for a circular construction industry.
The project addresses key issues such as BIM-compatible, AI-supported recording of building components using orthophotos, the development of a digital logbook for planning, construction and demolition, the quantitative assessment of the recyclability of building components in existing buildings, and the development of scalable business models for secondary building components and materials.
The project is funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG). Further information: www.cescaleup.build
CirCon 2026: Conference provides practical impetus for the circular construction industry
As a further initiative of this strategic focus, AIT is organising CirCon 2026 at the Vienna Museum on 26 January 2026. Under the motto "Circular construction – opportunities. Innovation. Practice.", the conference will address the key challenges and future potential of a consistently circular construction industry.
The event brings together experts from research, industry and politics and offers a comprehensive overview of current developments and successful transformation projects with keynotes, discussion panels and interactive formats. The focus is on tried-and-tested solutions, innovative tools and new business models – including those developed as part of projects such as CEScaleUP.
CirCon 2026 thus underlines the role of AIT as a leading innovation partner for the transformation of the construction sector and as a pacesetter for the design of a resource-efficient, climate-friendly construction industry.
Information and tickets: https://circon.ait.ac.at/