You know that pile of rubble at the construction site down the street? The one that looks like a dinosaur ate Taco Bell? Well, that mess might actually help save the planet. And no, we’re not high on cement fumes – we’re talking about ParaStruct, the startup turning construction waste into eco-friendly building materials.
Meet Freia Ruegenberg, co-founder of ParaStruct. After watching Plastic Planet in high school, she didn’t just feel guilty about her water bottle habit like the rest of us—she declared war on waste.
When asked why she’s doing this, Freia’s answer is simple yet profound: “I contribute to the reduction of waste and thus help to make the building environment more sustainable. As a result, the natural environment is better preserved and will hopefully remain liveable for future generations.”
Now, Freia and her team at ParaStruct are turning literal construction garbage into high-quality, recyclable building materials. And they’re not stopping there. They’re on a mission to make the entire industry as circular as a roundabout. And let’s be honest, construction has been treating the planet like a raging frat house party.
The Concrete Jungle’s Major Problem
It almost goes without saying, but the construction industry is one of the world’s biggest polluters. Greenhouse gases? Check. Resource depletion? Double-check. Mountains of waste? Triple-check. That’s why ParaStruct is dismantling these issues brick by recycled brick.
“We develop materials, processes, and applications that enable the conversion of unusable waste materials and by-products into high-quality, recyclable, and low-emission building materials and products,” Freia explains. It’s not alchemy, but it’s pretty close.
From Landfill to Landmark
ParaStruct’s magic lies in its ability to see treasure where others see trash. They’re not just recycling. They’re upcycling on a massive scale.
By repurposing waste and by-products, they’re:
1. Reducing dependence on natural resources
2. Decreasing the need for landfills
3. Cutting CO2 emissions associated with traditional construction materials
Not only are they saving mankind from extinction, but they also have a solid business case too. Companies can save on disposal costs and even turn a profit from their waste.
It’s like finding money in your couch cushions – but on an industrial scale.
Building a Circular Future
Building green needs to become the norm, so how is ParaStruct aiming to reshape the entire industry?
Their approach is threefold:
1. Develop innovative recycling solutions
2. Build industrial partnerships and a supportive community
3. Make sustainable architecture accessible to the masses
It’s a lofty goal, but with the world’s population growing and construction booming, it’s certainly an urgent and necessary one.
With that said, short term, ParaStruct is focused on beefing up their team and showcasing their products. Their long-term vision (other than reshaping the entire construction industry) is to become the go-to technology provider for recycling solutions in construction and manufacturing worldwide.
Achieving this vision requires more than just ambition—it takes a dedicated team and strong partnerships.
The Team Behind the Dream
ParaStruct didn’t just build their success off of waste. They’ve got some serious backing:
- Techstars Paris Sustainability
- New European Bauhaus Accelerator
- Cleantech Open
- EIT Climate KIC and EIT Manufacturing
- Austria Wirtschaftsservice AWS
- Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG
With this dream team of supporters, ParaStruct is well-equipped to construct a more sustainable future.
Want to Get Your Hands Dirty?
ParaStruct is always on the lookout for network partners, companies with waste streams, and users for their sustainable building products. They’re also open to applications from professionals in sales, marketing, and IT, as well as conversations with impact-focused investors from the construction sector.
If you fit any of these categories, ParaStruct wants to hear from you. After all, it takes a village to raise a building – and a global community (like GICA *wink, wink*) to reshape an industry.
The Foundation of Change
At GICA, we’re excited to support visionary impact citizens like Freia and ParaStruct, who are building a better tomorrow today (here is some more inspiration for you).
Remember: Every bit of waste ParaStruct recycles is one step closer to a sustainable future. And in the construction industry, even small steps can have massive impacts.
Freia Ruegenberg on LinkedIn? Here!
