From September 1 to 5, 2025, the University of Luxembourg hosted the first CIRKLA Summer School on “Sustainable Construction: Materials, Circularity, and Innovation” as part of the Interreg project UniGR-CIRKLA.
30 participants from nine countries – including advanced master’s students, doctoral candidates, postdocs, and young professionals – came together on The Kirchberg campus to explore the opportunities and challenges of a resource-conscious construction and materials industry.
Over the course of five days, participants engaged in a dynamic program combining academic input with practical application. Alongside lectures from various research fields and group discussions, a multi-part case study on concrete and timber construction provided valuable insights into current developments and hands-on approaches to the circular economy. Using life cycle assessment (LCA), participants examined material flows and construction decisions in a four-story existing building.
A special highlight of the program was the two site visits in Luxembourg. Climalux S.A. (cement production) and ArcelorMittal Belval (steel production & circular approaches) welcomed the participants, providing exclusive insights into their production processes and sustainability strategies. The young researchers had the opportunity to observe the production stages firsthand and see how circular economy principles are applied in industrial practice.
The CIRKLA Summer School was jointly organized by Saarland University, the European School of Materials (EUSMAT), and the University of Luxembourg as part of the UniGR-CIRKLA project. Supported by the Interreg Greater Region 2021–2027 program, this inaugural edition marks the start of a recurring event series. The aim: to provide young talents from the Greater Region and across Europe with a platform to deepen their knowledge of the circular economy, build cross-border and interdisciplinary networks, and explore new opportunities for collaboration.
Please find more insights and details from the event in this Press Release.
