Circular business models struggle to scale when economic actors lack incentives to collaborate. In this webinar, Donald Thomson, CEO of the Center for Regenerative Design and Collaboration (CRDC), and Nicholas Kolesch, plastics circularity leader and strategic advisor to CRDC, presented an emerging innovative material in the building sector called RESIN8™. This hybrid-mineral polymer behaves like construction sand but is 80% composed of hard-to-recycle mixed plastic waste. Replacing or supplementing natural aggregates in concrete and asphalt with RESIN8™ enhances the technical properties and economic and social value of new construction while diverting up to 100% of industrial and household plastic waste from landfills, incineration, and the natural environment.

According to a 2023 United Nations Environment Programme report, the buildings and construction sector is responsible for 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions, which come from producing and using materials such as cement, steel, and aluminum. Circular design strategies and solutions are essential for reducing carbon emissions in buildings and developing cities.

In this webinar, attendees learned more about the RESIN8™ technology and how it can leverage industrial symbiosis to unite diverse actors in a regenerative circular economy. Thomson shared how CRDC’s unique collaborative approach activated new market levers for plastic collection, sustainable construction, social housing, and circular economy education in North America, Latin America, and Africa. Kolesch discussed emerging opportunities for the company’s expansion in Asia and the Pacific and how it could support the region in tackling its plastic waste crisis.

Speakers​ 

Donald Thomson | Founder and CEO, Center for Regenerative Design & Collaboration (CRDC)

Donald founded and leads CRDC, a zero-waste incubator in Costa Rica that harnesses the commercial potential of regenerative design, and CRDC Global, a world leader in circular economy solutions for the construction industry. His innovative Recover-Enrich-Appreciate-Prosper (REAP) Business Model was a People’s Choice nominee at the 2016 World Economic Forum Circularity Awards. A lifelong builder, developer, and industrial innovator, Donald holds six international patents in building product design and is widely recognized as a disruptor in low-carbon concrete.  He was named an International Business Times’ Top 100 Social Capital Leader in 2022.

Nicholas Kolesch| Founder and Director, NK Circular Economy Consulting

Nick brings over 25+ years of experience in commercial leadership roles in the petrochemical sector with Ciba Specialty Chemicals and the Borealis Group, covering Europe and Asia. Most recently, he was the Vice President of Projects at the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, a non-profit organization established by leading companies in the plastics value chain. During his 4+ year tenure, he pioneered a circular economy solution portfolio addressing the challenges of plastic waste collection, sorting, and valorization. Nick recently established a Singapore-based independent circular economy consultancy and is currently serving as a Strategic Advisor to CRDC Global, supporting business growth efforts around the world.

See related webinars on the circular economy and the construction industry, sustainable concrete, and green roads by checking the Read Also sidebar on the right of this page.