Unicil, Derbigum, Sud-Est Etanchéité and E.leven launch the sustainable renovation of a 5.000 m² condominium in Marseille

The four partners have opted for an eco-friendly waterproofing solution, in line with circular economy principles and to limit the project's carbon footprint. The total investment exceeds €600.000, with delivery scheduled for September 2026.

A large-scale project to improve roof insulation and guarantee summer comfort

The Résidence Le Pharo, a 5.000 m² condominium building dating from the 1980s, is undergoing a complete roof waterproofing renovation. In a Mediterranean climate, with increasingly frequent and intense heat waves, roof insulation is essential for improving summer comfort. It limits overheating in the apartments and ensures greater well-being for residents, particularly on the upper floors. It also helps ensure winter comfort by reducing heat loss, thereby lowering energy consumption and, consequently, tenants' utility bills.

According to Solenn SAMEDY, UNICIL Technical Program Manager: “At Unicil, across all our projects, our goal is to sustainably renovate our buildings while taking into account the specific characteristics of the Mediterranean climate. In addition to installing high-performance insulation, we also wanted to limit the project's carbon footprint, particularly that of the materials used, by implementing a highly durable waterproofing system with a doubled lifespan, and one that is also recyclable. By choosing an eco-responsible and sustainable solution, we aimed to transform the roof into a true investment: one that is both environmentally sound and provides tangible benefits for the residents' daily lives.”

A coalition of stakeholders committed to the sustainable renovation of built heritage

The project brings together Unicil, a social housing company and real estate subsidiary of the Action Logement group, which is driving the vision and purpose of the project, alongside complementary partners involved at each stage: Derbigum, a pioneer in technological, sustainable, and 100% recyclable waterproofing membranes; E.leven, a technical design office specializing in building envelopes, which structures and ensures the project's success; and Sud-Est Étanchéité, a subsidiary of the Omnium Group and a specialist in building renovation, which handles the on-site implementation. Derbigum provides an innovative, high-performance, environmentally friendly waterproofing solution with its recyclable APP bituminous membranes.

According to Jean Caremier of Sud-Est Etanchéité, a building renovation specialist in Marseille: “As part of this consultation, we responded to this project with a solution that fully met the client's environmental requirements and specifications. It was important for us to propose an approach consistent with our commitment to sustainable renovation and the comfort of residents. On the construction site, this translates concretely into very rigorous implementation, but also into particular attention paid to waste management, safety, and respect for the residents' living environment.”

According to Giulia Di Palma of the E.LEVEN design office: “At E.leven, we are convinced that our expertise must go beyond mere technical compliance to become a true driver of ecological transition. Beyond our role as Project Manager, we position ourselves as a strategic partner for Project Owners, supporting them in the deployment of their CSR ambitions. On the flagship Pharo project, alongside Unicil, we translated ESG criteria into concrete actions. By specifying Derbigum’s 100% recyclable membrane and collaborating with Sud-Est Étanchéité, we are proving that it is possible to drastically reduce a building’s carbon footprint throughout its entire life cycle, while managing a socially responsible construction site.”

The project's carbon footprint is minimized thanks to a durable and recyclable waterproofing solution.

For François Becquaert, Country Manager Derbigum By Kingspan: “The waterproofing solution implemented on this project was chosen for its durability and its ability to fit within a circular economy framework. At the end of their lifespan, the membranes can be recovered and recycled to be reintegrated into the manufacture of new DERBIGUM membranes. Installation offcuts generated during the work are also collected to limit construction waste and valorize the material. With a reference lifespan of 50 years and environmental impacts measured thanks to recent Environmental and Health Declarations (FDES), our solutions enable a lasting reduction in the carbon footprint of renovated buildings.”

Derbigum is leveraging its expertise to decarbonize its processes and solutions, focusing on circularity. The company has established a successful system for recovering old waterproofing membranes: every Derbigum roof can thus be part of a sustainable cycle of recycling, reuse, and renovation. Derbigum has therefore deployed the first industrial site combining a production line and a dedicated recycling line. This waterproofing bitumen recycling facility, unique in Europe, transforms up to 5.000 tons of used roofing materials per year into recycled raw materials (RRM) for new roofing membranes. Since its creation in 1990, this system has already recycled more than 30.000 tons of bituminous binder.