‘Extending the life of construction materials": a workshop led by Vincent JAMBLIN [SEREUS] & Johnny ZSCHAU [ROOSENS Bétons].

On 22 May 2025 in Mons, the Circular Wallonia Days will feature a workshop dedicated to extending the lifespan of construction materials, led by two complementary experts: Vincent JAMBLIN, founder of Séréus, and Johnny ZSCHAU, Chief Research Officer at Roosens Bétons .

Vincent JAMBLIN is a leading figure in circular economy and innovation. As the founder of Séréus, a Belgian consultancy, he guides companies through their transformation towards more sustainable and circular models, focusing on systems thinking and tangible impact. His broad vision, ability to unite stakeholders around innovative solutions, and active engagement in impact networks make him a key voice on circularity in construction.

Johnny ZSCHAU represents applied industrial innovation. As CRO of Roosens Bétons-a family-run company with over a century of history and a pioneer in low-carbon concrete-he works daily to integrate circularity and sustainability into construction materials, from structural elements to finishes. His pragmatic approach, grounded in industrial realities and on-the-ground challenges, perfectly complements Vincent JAMBLIN’s strategic outlook. Their partnership is a clear asset: while Vincent brings systemic thinking, expertise in transformation, and the ability to rally stakeholders around new models, Johnny  offers hands-on experience, product innovation, and the industrialisation of circular solutions. Together, they bridge the gap between vision and execution, theory and practice. The workshop will also benefit from a wealth of expertise thanks to a diverse panel of speakers: architects, researchers, industry leaders, and European experts will share insights on reuse, eco-responsible material selection, technical innovations, construction waste management, and the use of recycled sands. This diversity, spanning the entire value chain, ensures that circularity challenges will be tackled from every angle-from lab to building site, from concept to real-world application.

>        Michaël GHYOOT, Architect, Rotor: Interreg PreUse project - Actions, challenges and solutions to promote the reuse of materials.
>        Pierre BOLLEN, Senior Researcher, Institute of Mechanics, Materials and Civil Engineering (iMMC), Catholic University of Louvain (UCL): How can circularity principles be integrated into a rational methodology for the eco-selection of materials?
>        Agnese ATTANASIO, Technical Project Manager, CETMA (Centro di Ricerche Europeo di Tecnologie Design e Materiali), Italy: i-Clima Built (Horizon 2020) - Development, scaling up and testing of innovations in building envelope materials and technical systems.
>        David GARCIA-ESTEVEZ, Senior Researcher in energy, climate and urban transition, TECNALIA, Basque Research and Technology Alliance, Spain: ICEBERG (Horizon 2020) - Circular economy solutions for end-of-life construction materials ;
>        Luc COURARD, Professor, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Urban and Environmental Engineering, University of Liège, Wallonia: Recycled sand: problem or solution?
>        Diego CARO, Technical Consultant, Pavimentos de Tudela, Spain : Paving the way: circular strategies and active materials for sustainable urban surfaces;
>        Shizhe ZHANG, Project Manager R&D, Renewi Mineralz & Water, Netherlands : Intelligent reuse of secondary minerals in sustainable concrete: contributions of the particle compaction model ; >        Sonia SARACINO, Project Coordinator, CETMA (Centro di Ricerche Europeo di Tecnologie Design e Materiali), Italy : Re4.eu (Horizon2020) - Reuse and recycling of materials and structures from construction and demolition waste in energy-efficient prefabricated elements for renovation and construction.
>        Santeri PARONEN, Architect, Spolia Design, Finland : Circular economy solutions for concrete: from demolition to use.

By bringing together these complementary profiles, the workshop promises to be a highlight for co-creation, fostering the emergence of practical solutions to extend material lifespans and accelerate the circular transition in construction, both in Wallonia and beyond.