COST Action CA25114: "Towards Circular Future: Innovation of Circular Facades (CircaFan)"

1st Management Committee Meeting

COST Action CA25114 Kick-off Meeting Brussels 05 October 2026

TTR Centre at the Kick-off Meeting of COST Action CA25114

“Towards Circular Future: Innovation of Circular Facades (CircaFan)” in Brussels

TTR Centre participated in the kick-off meeting of COST Action CA25114, “Towards Circular Future: Innovation of Circular Facades (CircaFan)”, which took place in Brussels on 5 October 2026.

This participation is particularly significant as TTR Centre was part of the original European network that developed and submitted the proposal for the CircaFan Action, with its Director, Mr Michalis Socratous, serving as a Secondary Proposer.

The proposal was approved under the COST Open Call 2025 through a highly competitive selection process. The call attracted the highest number of proposals in the history of the programme, representing a 29% increase compared to the previous call. Out of all submitted proposals, only 80 new Actions were approved, resulting in a success rate of just 7.3%, highlighting the significance of the approval of COST Action CA25114 “Towards Circular Future: Innovation of Circular Facades (CircaFan)”.

The kick-off meeting of the Action was held on 5 October 2026 in Brussels, with Mr Michalis Socratous participating as Cyprus' representative on the Management Committee and as a member of Working Group 4. The Action has a four-year duration, running from 5 October 2026 to 4 October 2030, and aims to establish a strong European collaboration network focused on the principles of the circular economy within the construction sector.

At the core of CircaFan is the application of circular economy principles to building facades and cladding systems, covering timber, other materials, and their combinations in modern construction systems. The Action aims to develop scientific and practical knowledge related to the design, construction, reuse and recycling of façades, with a focus on preserving the value of materials and construction components for longer periods. Through this approach, the Action seeks to reduce the consumption of new resources and minimise waste generation.

During the kick-off meeting, the objectives of the Action were presented, its organisational structure was established, and the initial activity plan was defined. Participants also engaged in thematic discussions organised around four key areas: circular design best practices, innovation throughout the façade life cycle, assessment methods and digital tools, and project management and stakeholder collaboration.

Particular interest lies in Working Group 4, in which Michalis Socratous participates. This group focuses on project management based on circular economy principles and on the collaboration of the people and organisations responsible for implementing them in practice. Effective cooperation between researchers, designers, manufacturers, industry representatives and other professionals is considered essential for ensuring that innovative approaches can be successfully applied under real project conditions and transformed from theoretical concepts into practical solutions.

The scope of CircaFan is highly relevant to current developments, as it is closely aligned with the European Union's strategic priorities for the green and digital transition of the construction sector. More efficient resource use, extending product service life, and enabling material reuse have become key priorities within European policy. Achieving these objectives also requires reliable data regarding product performance and environmental impacts.

In this context, the new Construction Products Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2024/3110 (CPR), is particularly important. The new framework strengthens the focus on the environmental performance of construction products and introduces the Digital Product Passport system. As the transition to the new regulatory framework will take place gradually across product families, research on circular façades is expected to provide valuable knowledge, methods and tools to support businesses and professionals in meeting the new requirements.

For a more accessible presentation of these changes and their implications for businesses and professionals, readers may consult TTR Centre’s related article, “Regulation (EU) 2024/3110 and the New Era for Construction Products.”

For Cyprus, participation in the Action creates important opportunities to contribute to a European research collaboration aimed at generating new knowledge and developing innovative practices. The relevance of the Action extends beyond the timber sector to a broader range of materials and applications, as façades and cladding systems bring together different materials, technologies, professions and businesses. At the same time, the experience of the local market and the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises can make a meaningful contribution to the European dialogue, helping ensure that the solutions developed are also applicable under real operating conditions.

For TTR Centre, participation in CircaFan is closely linked to its long-standing commitment to connecting research with professional practice and vocational education and training. The potential for dismantling, reusing and recovering construction elements is largely determined during the earliest stages of design. Decisions regarding materials, connections and installation methods can significantly influence whether construction components can be removed without damage and reused in the future.

These challenges require new knowledge, skills and approaches. Through its participation in CircaFan, TTR Centre seeks to contribute to the development and dissemination of such knowledge, bringing the experience of professional practice and vocational training in Cyprus into the wider European network. At the same time, it aims to utilise the outcomes of the Action to support businesses and professionals through awareness-raising activities, training programmes, educational materials and knowledge-transfer initiatives that facilitate the circular transition of the construction sector.