Cycle Up, Eiffage Construction, Demcy and ITEM create a workshop for reconditioning deconstruction materials in the Lyon metropolitan area

An unprecedented partnership which aims to bring together several players for the development of the reuse sector in the Auvergne-Rhône Alpes region.

Low-carbon local reindustrialization

The creation of this workshop will make it possible to recover materials from deconstruction in the Auvergne-Rhône Alpes region, recondition them and then sell them so that they can be reused on construction sites in the region. Beyond the carbon savings linked to transport, the reuse of these materials and the preservation of natural resources which would have been necessary for the production of new materials in factories far from the Rhone basin, will have a major ecological impact. The process started in March 2024 with ceramic sanitary equipment as well as cable trays.

The development of the circular economy sector

Eiffage Construction works to develop circular economy sectors applied to structures, through the support of local players, just like Demcy, a subsidiary of Eiffage Génie Civil specializing in demolition and asbestos removal work.

In order to combat the scarcity of resources, Eiffage Construction and Demcy have set up research work to reduce and optimize the use of virgin raw materials (aggregates, oil, metals, etc.). Replacing the extraction of virgin raw materials with the reuse of existing elements makes it possible to reduce consumption of materials, water and energy.

A range of reconditioned materials

The reconditioning, which consists of refurbishing the materials, extending their lifespan and giving them the benefit of a validated technical guarantee, was entrusted to the ITEM integration site workshop of the ICARE Group.

The range of reconditioned materials includes several products: free-standing toilets, wall-hung toilets, sinks, urinals, shower trays, as well as cable trays. Experiments are underway to extend this range to meet customer demands.

The teams have set themselves the objective for 2024 of reconditioning more than 1000 toilets (all references combined) and more than 1600 ml of cable tray.

Capitalize on experience

The opening of this new workshop responds to numerous challenges from customers and partners who have needs for quality reuse products, certified ready to install and available in sufficient quantities, in the Auvergne-Rhône Alpes region.

Cycle Up capitalizes on feedback from a first workshop opened in the summer of 2023 in Noisy-le-Sec (93) whose level of activity is constant. Already present in the Auvergne-Rhône Alpes region, via its branch of five people, Cycle Up benefits from a dynamic ecosystem to relay this new offer.

Demcy brings its deconstructor skills, including selective deconstruction, to ensure the quality of deposits and control of products and equipment recovered elsewhere. Eiffage Construction provides knowledge in building management, requirements for selective removal and integration of reuse elements in rehabilitation or new projects.

For Christophe Dugourd, Industrial Director of Cycle Up: “Cycle Up is proud to develop this new site and hopes that it will quickly find customers interested in integrating reused materials into its sites. Our approach aims to propose local reindustrialization, dedicated to a low-carbon economy. With this second workshop, we wish to offer a range of refurbished and requalified products for a reduced environmental impact, and thus offer those involved in construction and real estate a real alternative to new materials. We are also happy to offer integration jobs in this workshop to profiles who have been away from the job market for a long period, in accordance with our values ​​and our reason for being as a mission-driven company. »

For Jean-Christophe Terrier, Environment and Transformation Director at Eiffage Construction: “We are very pleased to have initiated and worked to create this consortium with partners from diverse origins to bring about a concrete, operational solution in our territory that contributes to reducing the impact of the construction sector. From the start, we sought to join forces to act: reduction of CO2 emissions, preservation of water resources, circularity and therefore less use of extractive deposits. Faced with the challenges of reuse and economic constraints, it seemed obvious to us to bring together an ecosystem of actors from varied origins and with complementary skills. Through future projects, we hope to continue to convey this message of necessary collaboration between industry and local stakeholders to develop and expand the use of reuse. »

For Boris Azimi, general director of Demcy: “As a stakeholder, we welcome the successful completion of this workshop project which will make it possible to reuse materials from deconstruction sites, with a view to saving resources and reducing CO2. Furthermore, this partnership will offer project owners the possibility of maintaining a local dimension in the choice of reuse of materials. »

For Vincent Doyet director of ITEM and the INNOV Cooperative Group: “This project represents a unique opportunity to combine sustainable development and social commitment, two fundamental values ​​for ITEM and the INNOV Cooperative Group. Our role within this workshop is to use our expertise in integration projects to transform deconstructed materials into high-quality reusable products. In addition to extending the lifespan of these materials, ITEM creates jobs for people far from the labor market, thus offering them a chance to reintegrate professionally and socially. »

Tours of the workshop will be offered from September 2024.