OpenCirc BuildConnect

The project

OpenCirc BuildConnect develops semantic interoperability infrastructure for Digital Product Passports in construction, enabling seamless data exchange between existing systems without forcing the industry into a single standard.

The construction industry faces a perfect storm of new material documentation requirements—composition, origin, CO₂ footprint, and recyclability. EU regulations (ESPR, CPR, EUDR, CSRD) mean that without control of data, the industry can neither meet legal requirements nor its own sustainability goals.

Today, information is scattered across BIM models, spreadsheets, PDF reports, and manufacturer portals. Local data structures and property definitions mean actors speak different "languages," costing time, creating errors, and leading to resource waste.

The innovation

BuildConnect makes it simple to collect and share knowledge about building materials across systems. The project builds on the open-source OpenCirc platform (MUDP-supported) and develops a Digital Product Passport (DPP) module that:

• Connects existing data sources and translates between their structures
• Enables DPPs that meet legal requirements and circular business models
• Integrates with LCAx for automatic climate calculations
• Tests in full-scale construction projects

The project distinguishes itself by taking existing standards as starting points and building a "translator" that creates compatibility without changing workflows—connecting bSDD and LeksiCON with content like IFC, EPD, EU taxonomy, and ISO standards.

Funded by