In the Circ-Boost Barcelona pilot, a new kind of sensor system is being tested – one that embeds the data directly into the concrete.
How it works?
Special RFID tags with high memory capacity are embedded up to 3 cm deep into concrete elements. These tags act as self-contained digital “black boxes” storing all lifecycle data on the element itself – no internet or cloud needed.
The system has undergone laboratory validation, including:
- Read/write performance testing at different embedding depths
- Prototyping of tag holders for easy surface-level scanning
- Development of a custom app interface for field use
This innovation supports smarter reuse, recycling, and demolition – making circularity trackable and tangible.
Led by UPC, this pilot is making materials smarter – and construction more circular.
