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Circulair Construction Consolidation Centre at Blue Gate Antwerp
Blue Gate Antwerp first eco-effective, water-bound business park in Belgium
The concept of a Construction Consolidation Centre (CCC) is already applied in several cities. The main aim is to reduce and optimise the transport burden on a city by bundling construction logistics transport to and from construction sites.
With a Circular CCC (C-CCC), the potential of this sustainable logistics concept is applied in an innovative way within a circular building economy. For example, the aim is to optimise waste processing by reusing, repairing or reallocating high-quality building material outflows.
Blue Gate Antwerp Development NV (BGAD) has the ambition to transform the former petroleum port of Antwerp from a brownfield into an eco-effective and waterbound business park. Via the open call, Bopro, Vito and Van Moer joined forces to investigate whether and how a Circular Construction Consolidation Centre on the site could serve as a catalyst for the further circular development of the site and its wider surroundings.
The project consists of three sub-studies. The first part focuses on potentially interested stakeholders, using questionnaires to gauge knowledge, interest and possible barriers. In a second study, we map incoming and outgoing material flows and examine how they can be valorised. In a third study we want to draw up a business model for the concrete implementation of a C-CCC at Blue Gate Antwerp.
Blue Gate Antwerp Development NV
Partners Bopro nv, Vito (Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek) NV, Van Moer Stevedoring NV, Blue Gate Antwerp Building NV
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MOST IMPORTANT
RESULTS
- Most stakeholders were positive about the concept of a C-CCC, but with the necessary reservations: it appeared from discussions that we were rather in the water with Building Traders who want to run a classic building material hub where suppliers are selected by one party.
- We mapped out the most important material flows (flat glass, wood, plaster, metals, plastics, stony materials, etc.) via files. Per material, the use is described, the outflow and how the C-CCC can contribute to better recycling or reuse.
- We developed a business model for a C-CCC in the form of an open platform, managed by an independent party and where suppliers and contractors can flexibly join in function of their needs.
MOST IMPORTANT
LESSONS LEARNED
- Due to the eventual marketing of the unloading quay, our business model where new suppliers can enter flexibly proved not to be feasible after all. In this zone, a building material hub will be created with one party as the trader, where the material range is limited to that of its suppliers.
- The C-CCC can have a positive environmental impact: CO2 emissions are reduced thanks to fewer transports and there is less material surplus or loss thanks to better estimation of the quantities needed, weatherproof storage and possibly value-added logistics.
- For Antwerp and its inhabitants, the benefits of the C-CCC will also be tangible: the reduction in the number of transports within the city will reduce congestion and also the risk of dangerous traffic situations. The lower CO2 emissions will have a positive effect on air quality and health.
WHAT DOES
THE FUTURE HOLD?
Despite the reluctance of stakeholders and the significant change in the business model as regards the operation of the building materials hub, the theoretical exercise of this project remains valid and can serve as a basis for the implementation of other C-CCCs.
To generate sufficient demand, an open platform is needed. To create trust, we recommend choosing a new, independent operator. Possibly the city of Antwerp could play a role in this in cooperation with a customised company.
