From Mining Waste to Circular Construction: Eilat-Timna Living Lab

The Municipality of Eilat, an EU Mission City in southern Israel, is seeking partners to develop a circular economy living lab focused on transforming local mining waste into sustainable construction materials and infrastructure components.

Located in an isolated desert and coastal region, Eilat faces specific challenges related to resource efficiency, construction costs, extreme heat and the environmental impacts of transporting building materials over long distances. At the same time, significant mining waste deposits in the nearby Timna area offer an opportunity to develop locally sourced, low-carbon construction solutions.

Building on preliminary research undertaken by the Technion, the proposed Eilat-Timna Living Lab would investigate the potential of valorising different waste streams, including clay, sand and mineral residues, into circular construction products such as bricks, tiles, building blocks, insulation elements, pavements and road infrastructure materials.

The demonstration would combine material characterisation, environmental and economic assessments, advanced manufacturing techniques, including potential 3D printing applications, and real-world testing of construction components adapted to hot desert climates. Particular attention would be given to thermal performance, reduced reliance on virgin raw materials, transport-related emissions and the development of viable local circular value chains.

Potential demonstration sites include municipal buildings, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, and a small-scale green building installation. The initiative could explore opportunities for collaboration with Ben-Gurion University, the Technion, local construction stakeholders and relevant standardisation bodies, including the Israel Ceramic and Silicate Institute.

Beyond technological innovation, Eilat aims to establish a collaborative living lab involving public authorities, researchers, industry, SMEs and citizens to co-design, test and evaluate circular solutions. The project would address regulatory barriers, market adoption, business models and opportunities for replication in other cities and regions facing similar resource scarcity and construction challenges.

We are looking to join or develop a consortium bringing together municipalities, universities, circular construction experts, technology providers, manufacturers and replication cities interested in deploying place-based circular economy solutions with measurable environmental, economic and social impacts.