About the project
The project aims to develop and validate new vibrational spectroscopy-based methods for the rapid identification of potentially hazardous substances in building materials, soils, and sediments. The background is the growing need within the construction sector for safe and cost-effective solutions for reuse, demolition, remediation, and renovation, where current laboratory-based analyses are often both time-consuming and expensive. By combining handheld spectroscopic instruments, standardized sampling protocols, and a shared reference database, the project will enable preliminary material assessments directly on-site and provide faster decision-making support for companies and public authorities.The project is carried out through a cross-border collaboration between Novia University of Applied Sciences, Umeå University, and RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, bringing together complementary expertise in spectroscopy, environmental and soil analysis, and circular construction. Project activities include the identification of priority risk materials, development of sampling and analytical methodologies, creation of a spectral reference database, and testing and validation in real demolition, renovation, and remediation projects together with companies and stakeholders in Finland and Sweden.
By enabling earlier detection of hazardous materials, improved material sorting, and increased reuse of construction materials, the project contributes to safer working environments, reduced environmental impacts, and a stronger circular economy in the construction sector. The project outputs, including guidelines, training materials, and the reference database, will be made openly available to support long-term adoption and wider use beyond the project consortium and target region.
Project goal
The project develops and validates a spectroscopy-based method for the rapid identification of hazardous substances in building materials, soils, and sediments directly in the field. By combining handheld instruments, standardized sampling procedures, and an open reference database, the project aims to enable faster and more reliable decision-making in demolition, renovation, and remediation activities.Through collaboration between stakeholders in Finland and Sweden, the project will develop practical methodologies, guidelines, and training materials for the construction and remediation sectors. In the long term, the project will contribute to safer working environments, increased reuse of construction materials, and a more circular and sustainable construction sector in the Aurora region.
UN's Sustainable Development Goals
Viveka Öling-Wärnå
Project Researcher