CirkArena

Its outcomes will serve schools, scientists, businesses, and the public. Thanks to support from the European Union through the Just Transition Operational Programme, the project will create infrastructure that helps the region move beyond heavy industry and supports its future development. The project has been reviewed by the relevant authorities, including the Ministry of the Environment, and was approved without reservations as fully compliant with European public aid regulations.

Our research will focus primarily on biowaste, industrial by-products, and waste from construction and energy sectors — such as sludge, slag, fly ash, and discarded materials. These types of resources are already commonly found in the Třinec area.

Many of these materials have the potential for a second life, and our goal is to explore how they can be reused effectively and safely.

The research will lead to new technologies and solutions that help companies use materials more efficiently, produce less waste, and reduce costs.

And for everyday people? It means a cleaner environment, fewer landfills, and a better chance that products will be repairable, recyclable, and more accessible.

In addition, CirkArena will offer educational activities and inspiration for everyday life through the lens of circular thinking.

Třinec has a strong industrial tradition, excellent infrastructure, and active partnerships with companies and municipalities that support and welcome change.

We’re also located in the heart of a region undergoing transformation — a place where we can test the real-world impact of circular solutions. And it’s a location where industrial waste is more concentrated, which means there’s a greater need and demand for new approaches.

Finally, the specific site of the center plays an important role. By transforming an unused indoor ice hockey arena — a brownfield — we’re giving the space a new, long-term purpose and meaning.

Absolutely. In the beginning, we’re bringing in external expertise to spark interest and attract new scientific talent. In this community, “scientific celebrities” can be a real magnet — which is why it’s important to bring well-known names to Třinec.

But the long-term goal is for the center to thrive and create jobs for local people. We want to inspire young people from Třinec and the surrounding area to see science and research as exciting career paths — right here at home. Our hope is that after their studies or early career experience, they’ll want to return to the region and find meaningful work in a forward-looking field with fair compensation.

Students and young researchers will find top-tier facilities at CirkArena for internships, hands-on training, and project work.

The center actively supports innovative ideas, fosters collaboration between academia and industry, and helps young talent grow their careers in a forward-looking field.

CirkArena isn’t just about the cutting-edge technologies inside — it’s also about the materials it’s built from.

We plan to make maximum use of recycled and environmentally friendly materials that help protect nature and demonstrate what sustainable construction can look like in practice.