Sustainability in the construction industry: A look at circularity

12.03.2024

The topic of sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the construction industry, especially with regard to the recyclability of materials. During our recent bayernkreativWORLDCAFÉS in cooperation with the TH Rosenheim and with the support of our colleagues from Bayern innovativ - Energie und Bau, we took a close look at the question of which materials in the construction sector are actually recyclable and are already being used in the construction sector as part of the EU Interreg project DECORATOR. And what challenges and barriers currently exist in the use of recyclable materials in the construction sector and how these can be overcome in order to achieve broader acceptance. The discussions and insights gained offer valuable approaches on how we can tackle the challenges in the area of sustainable material use.

Two materials were at the center of our considerations: Wood and concrete. Although it was noted that neither material is fully recyclable, both offer considerable potential for sustainable construction under certain conditions. It was emphasized that many materials can be downcycled, but impurities such as coatings or adhesives pose a major challenge for reuse or recycling.

The discussions showed that one of the biggest barriers is the issue of recyclability itself, including the life cycle assessment and documentation of materials. Another insight was that it is not always necessary to completely disassemble components into their individual parts. Instead, reusing entire components could be an effective way to conserve resources and promote sustainability in the construction sector.

However, the idea of considering the subsequent dismantling of buildings during the planning and construction phase was also a key aspect. This includes strategies such as "de-joining" - i.e. making components easier to dismantle - and creating a demolition checklist. Such an approach makes it possible to reuse materials of high quality and contributes to a more efficient circular economy.

The findings from our bayernkreativWORLDCAFÉ clearly show that the path to a fully circular construction industry is characterized by complex challenges. However, the discussions also offer innovative solutions that need to be explored. The importance of planning, the selection of sustainable materials and the development of deconstruction concepts are decisive steps towards making the construction industry more sustainable.

More about the EU project Decorator