3 OCT 2025 - 11:03 CET

Operated by the non-profit Atelier Circuler, MaterialenBank provides a living lab environment where innovative ideas on materials reuse can be put into practice. In a recent interview with UCM researcher Carmen Abril, August Smessaert, Coordinating Director of the Materialenbank, reflected on both the progress and the potential ahead. "We are still only really scratching the surface of  what is possible. The basic idea is to get a model in place which works and then actors can work with us", he said.

MaterialenBank has already attracted significant attention, with plans to scale and expand as new opportunities arise. The CirCoCreation project will further support these ambitions, connecting key stakeholders across sectors and strengthening Leuven’s role in circular economy practices.