Circular Economy
R&D Centre

CirkArena is a research and development center for the circular economy. It brings together excellent scientific and innovation teams and capacities with the ambition to integrate its workplaces in Třinec and Ostrava into the national reference laboratory system.
The center focuses on waste research—specifically:

  • Industrial waste characteristic of the Moravian-Silesian region (remnants of mining and metallurgical past)
  • biowaste
  • construction waste

Thus, contributing to the transformation of the Moravian-Silesian region.

CirkArena is built on a broad partnership of research and educational institutions and the public sector. It serves as a bridge between technological and knowledge-based resources, helping to accelerate research and development activities, innovations, and education in the field of the circular economy.

The CirkArena project is part of the broader SMARt And Green District (SMARAGD) strategy, which offers the region a comprehensive solution to societal challenges in materials, energy, environment, and IT within an integrated territory. This strategy comprises several synergistic projects with planned multi-source funding. More about the SMARAGD strategy can be found at www.smaragdova.cz. 

The story of CirkArena

Where once the former hockey arena was filled with cheers for outstanding performances—where talents played, teams battled for victory, and the place pulsed with energy—the story of CirkArena continues and begins anew. A new scientific and research-development center for the circular economy at a European level draws attention to Třinec, Ostrava, and the region, attracting talent and excellence, bringing the place’s energy back to life.
The idea behind the creation of CirkArena stems from the industrial history of the region and the ongoing transformation of its economy. It directly aligns with European climate goals and the shift toward a low-carbon economy.

The construction itself is a unique showcase of circular economic principles in the building industry. It will be created by recycling a brownfield site—the old WerkArena in Třinec. The construction will be carried out using the Design & Build method.

The main goal of CirkArena is to transform the region into a model of sustainable development, focusing on research and the efficient use of construction materials, biowaste, and industrial waste, such as slags and dust—remnants of heavy industry. The research and development results from CirkArena will support the regional innovation ecosystem.

The project contributes to the region’s transformation by maximizing the use of secondary raw materials, promoting sustainability, modernizing businesses, and linking industrial sectors. This leads to a reduction in waste and supports the circular economy and industrial symbiosis.

This project is co-funded by the European Just Transition Fund.

Project budget

1,9

Total project cost in mld. CZK

%

Operational Programme Just Transition

%

Czech state budget

%

Project own financing

Project timeline

2021 – 2022 – preparation of the project application

2023 – submission of project application and preparation of project documentation for planning permission

01 – 06/2024 – obtaining a valid TD, preparation of the Design&Build TP

07/2024 – 03/2025 – selection of a construction contractor through Design&Build

04/2025 – 12/2027 – construction of the building, equipment of the centre

2023 – 2027 – assembling research teams and recruiting staff

2028 – start of full operation of the research centre

Beneficiary

The MATERIAL AND METALLURGICAL RESEARCH, CO., Ltd.

Project partners

Research & Development

VSB – Technical University of Ostrava

Czech Technical University in Prague

Brno University of Technology

Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the CAS, v. v. i.

Tomas Bata University in Zlín

 

Education and awareness

Institute of Circular Economy (INCIEN)

SOBIC – Smart & Open Base for Innovations in European Cities and Regions, z.

The Czech Technology Platform for Sustainable Chemistry SUSCHEM

 

Public sector

The statutory city Třinec

Regional Council of Development and Cooperation in Trinec

Moravian-Silesian Innovation Center Ostrava

Contact

Jakub Švrček

Contact for media

Tomáš Šiřina

Do you have any questions about CirkArena?

Logo EU - Spolufinancováno Evropskou unií
Logo ministrestvo životního prostředí

Project Name: CirkArena
Project Registration Number: CZ.10.03.01/00/22_003/0000045
Managing Authority: The Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic
Operational Programme: Just Transition Operational Programme