The Safe, Sustainable, and Swift Reconstruction of Ukraine (S3RoU) project, funded by the UK government and led by a consortium of British, Ukrainian, and Dutch organisations, including the University of Sheffield, aims to radically transform Ukraine's reconstruction efforts.
By upcycling the immense amount of rubble generated by the ongoing war into sustainable building materials, S3RoU addresses the critical challenge of the safe recycling of concrete.
Rebuilding Ukraine presents a massive undertaking with severe environmental consequences. The global construction industry faces challenges in minimising its environmental footprint practically from cement production as well as managing demolition waste. Traditional practices often lead to low-grade reuse of rubble, such as backfill or landscaping, wasting valuable resources and compromising environmental benefits.
The S3RoU project aims to rethink this process by deploying and testing a mobile production line. This innovative system upcycles rubble into high value, low-energy and low-carbon construction materials. The project fosters a circular approach, minimising waste and maximising local resource utilisation in Ukraine's reconstruction.
S3 focuses on five key areas of innovation:
- Rapid identification and assessment of rubble suitable for recycling.
- Mobile equipment for on-site rubble separation.
- Optimization of processes for recycling separated components.
- Life cycle analysis and value chain optimization.
- Public awareness campaigns about gender inclusion, social awareness, the dangers of asbestos, and the benefits of valorizing resources previously considered a waste.
The collaborative effort includes the University of Sheffield (admin lead), the University of Leeds (technology lead), ReThink NGO, the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, C2CA, Eco+Logic, Lviv Polytechnic National University, and National University of Water and Environmental Engineering (Ukraine).
Dr Maurizio Guadagnini, Senior Lecturer in the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering at the University of Sheffield, and S3RoU's admin lead, said: “Our project will pioneer advanced technologies to upcycle concrete rubble into high-quality, sustainable construction materials. The project will not only aid in Ukraine's reconstruction but also drive the global adoption of a circular economy model in the construction sector.”
Keep up to date with the project and learn more on the S3RoU website.
The project is one of those selected by the InnovateUkraine competition, funded by the UK International Development and supported by the British Embassy in Kyiv.