Sustainable construction through reclaimed steel components: implementation and demonstration in the drastic EU project

The European building sector is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, with embodied emissions in construction materials, particularly steel, playing a critical role. As European policies shift towards energy-efficient buildings,the focus on reducing embodied carbon has intensified. This paper examines the application of reclaimed steel components in new construction as a strategy to reduce embodied carbon, improve life-cycle performance, and support the circular economy.The study focuses on the development of a Demonstrator within the DRASTIC EU project, aimed at implementing innovative solutions for reducing both operational and embodied carbon emissions in steel construction by reusing steel from the Litoral de Almería Thermal Power Plant to construct a new warehouse in Balaguer (North-East of Spain). The paper outlines the process of reclaiming, inspecting, testing, and reusing steel components according to the latest European standards, emphasizing the role of traceability and advanced structural assessments. This initiative will highlight the potential of steel reuse in achieving significant sustainability goals in construction, offering a replicable model for future projects across Europe