ORIGINAL PAPER
Recycled concrete aggregates in the circular economy: technological, environmental, and regulatory perspectives from Poland and Europe
1
Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences
2
AGH University of Krakow
3
Cracow University of Technology
Submission date: 2026-05-26
Final revision date: 2026-08-04
Acceptance date: 2026-08-04
Publication date: 2026-08-28
Corresponding author
Gospodarka Surowcami Mineralnymi – Mineral Resources Management 2026;42(3):245-267
KEYWORDS
recycled concrete aggregatescircular economyconcrete recyclingadvanced recycling technologieslife cycle assessment (LCA)
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
The construction sector is a major contributor to resource consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, requiring sustainable and circular material management. Recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) from construction and demolition waste are a key element of this transition. This study examines the development of the RCA market in Poland within EU circular economy policy, focusing on technology, regulation, and implementation barriers.
A qualitative approach based on literature, regulatory analysis, and case studies was applied. The scope includes recycling technologies, RCA properties, water recovery systems, and a comparison of selected European countries.
Results indicate that multi-stage processing enables high-quality RCA+ with properties comparable to natural aggregates. Up to 30% RCA does not significantly affect compressive strength, workability, or carbonation resistance. Pressure filtration systems allow water reuse without performance loss, while fine fraction utilization remains challenging.
Despite progress, adoption in Poland is limited by variability, weak standardization, economic constraints, and low acceptance in structural applications. More advanced EU countries achieve higher recycling rates due to stronger regulatory and policy instruments.
The study concludes that RCA supports decarbonization and resource efficiency in construction, but broader implementation requires technological improvement, regulatory alignment, and better-quality assurance. Future research should include Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for environmental and economic evaluation.
FUNDING
This work is realized within the framework of the project ERA-MIN3/II/75/Valor Waste/2024 “Valorization and integration of mining waste towards sustainable development of the raw materials industry”, financed by the National Centre for Research and Development in Warsaw (Poland).
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The Authors have no conflict of interest to declare.
METADATA IN OTHER LANGUAGES:
Polish
Kruszywa z recyklingu betonu w gospodarce o obiegu zamkniętym: perspektywy technologiczne, środowiskowe i regulacyjne z Polski i Europy
kruszywa z recyklingu betonu, gospodarka o obiegu zamkniętym, recykling betonu, zaawansowane technologie recyklingu, ocena cyklu życia (LCA)
Budownictwo jest jednym z głównych sektorów odpowiadających za zużycie zasobów oraz emisje gazów cieplarnianych, co wymaga wdrażania zrównoważonych i cyrkularnych modeli gospodarowania materiałami. Kruszywa z recyklingu betonu (RCA), pozyskiwane z odpadów budowlanych i rozbiórkowych, stanowią istotny element tej transformacji. Celem pracy jest analiza rozwoju rynku RCA w Polsce w kontekście polityk gospodarki o obiegu zamkniętym UE, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem technologii, regulacji i barier wdrożeniowych.
Zastosowano podejście jakościowe oparte na analizie literatury, dokumentów oraz studiów przypadków. Obejmuje ono technologie recyklingu, właściwości RCA, odzysk wody technologicznej oraz porównanie wybranych krajów europejskich.
Wyniki wskazują, że wieloetapowe procesy umożliwiają uzyskanie RCA+ o parametrach zbliżonych do kruszyw naturalnych. Dodatek do 30% RCA nie wpływa istotnie na wytrzymałość, urabialność ani odporność na karbonatyzację. Systemy odzysku wody pozwalają na jej ponowne wykorzystanie bez pogorszenia jakości betonu, natomiast zagospodarowanie frakcji drobnych pozostaje wyzwaniem.
Pomimo postępu technologicznego wdrożenie RCA w Polsce ograniczają zmienność surowca, brak standaryzacji, bariery ekonomiczne oraz niska akceptacja rynku. Kraje UE o bardziej rozwiniętej gospodarce cyrkularnej osiągają wyższe poziomy recyklingu dzięki silniejszym regulacjom.
Wnioski wskazują, że RCA ma istotny potencjał w zakresie dekarbonizacji i efektywności zasobowej budownictwa, jednak jego szersze wdrożenie wymaga dalszego rozwoju technologii, harmonizacji regulacyjnej oraz analiz cyklu życia (LCA).
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