Research project ReAsCon
Urban mining concept in the context of the deconstruction of asbestos- containing concrete based on the example of the Ludwigshafen elevated road
Project name Urban mining concept in the context of the deconstruction of asbestos-
containing concrete based on the example of the Ludwigshafen elevated
road
Acronym ReAsCon
Project partner
  • Technische Universität Darmstadt, Institute for Solid Structures
  • Fraunhofer: Institut für Optronik (IOSB) und Institut für Bauphysik (IBP)
  • Forschungsgruppe Industrial Ecology, HS Trier (HT)
  • Scherer & Kohl, Unternehmen für Abbruch Entsorgung und Recycling (S&K)
  • Metropolregion Rhein-Neckar GmbH (MRN)
Grantor “Resource-efficient circular economy – urban mining:
developing anthropogenic deposits as a source of raw materials”
as part of the Research for Sustainability Strategy (FONA) (BMFTR)
Duration from: 01.11.2025 to: 31.10.2028

Research field
 M+M
(E+E > Energy + Environment
I+I > Information + Intelligence
M+M > Matter + Materials)
Project content The overall objective of the project is to develop and research an urban mining concept (UMK) for large concrete structures containing asbestos, including the optimised positioning and dimensioning of a recycling plant, using the example of the demolition of the Ludwigshafen elevated road (HoLu). As part of this project, efficient and innovative solutions for processing the contaminated material are to be developed and tested, initially on a laboratory scale and later in large-scale trials. The project thus addresses a very important issue by enabling the reuse of asbestos-contaminated concrete from large, material-intensive structures: the demolition of the HoLu will generate a total of 310,000 tonnes of concrete between 2024 and 2031. If this had to be deposited in landfills, it would pose an enormous challenge for the region. For this reason, the demolition material is to be reused on site in an equivalent application within the new development of the vacated area (apartments for 3,450 people and space for 4,860 workplaces).