Circular construction in practice Report synopsis
Public opinion is unaware of built environment Expends Generates 1.8 billion tones 0.8 billion tones externalities of raw materials of waste (25% of total demand) (36% of total waste) Construction sector in the European Union: Uses Is responsible for 40% of total 36% Energy demand of total CO2 emission (mainly for heating purposes)
The construction sector is bound for circular model application
The development of the construction sector took a wrong turn in XX century There is less and less construction materials reusage Buildings’ durability decreases Non-renewable materials are used to ever greater extent Ca. 1945 Ca. 1975 Ca. 1990 Cement usage 4.5 billion 6.6 billion tones tones Switch from steel Modification in concrete Decreased renovation and construction wood composition that allows possibilities in result of to concrete faster but less durable hiding structural elements construction under panels or façades US 1901 - 2000 China 2011 - 2013
The effects of those developments are still felt today FRANCE POLAND EUROPEAN UNION Change in gross value added per hour worked in construction sector (in %, constant prices)
Current construction financing model hinders circular concepts’ adoption By 2030 increasing In the current model the investor and the owner are construction durability, seperate entities. The maximising the value of investor’s natural myopia in buildings and their parts and cost considerations is not using resources optimally can bring benefits for the EU counterbalanced by the owners’ demands due to countries valued at asymmetry of information. over 1 Billion EUR
Circular production lacks economies of scale
Quality of data on construction and demolition waste in European Union Governments have not kept Good quality proper track of Modes quality construction Bad quality waste Quantity of waste Waste treatment
Ranking Barrier Architects and design engineers do not consider recycled materials and products 1 during project design and specification 2 Lack of positive perception from clients who drive project process 3 Uncertainty on whole life durability of recycled materials and products Materials selection and specification are influenced by cost rather than 4 There still is environmental benefits Recycled Materials and products are more expensive than expected due to 5 perceived environmental friendliness a negative perception 6 Building control hindering the use of recycled materials 7 Suppliers' websites lack substantial product information of reusing Recycled materials product information is difficult to find 8 Difficult to find suppliers of Recycled materials 9 There is inadequate education about recycled materials and products in schools 10 construction Samples of Recycled materials are difficult to obtain 11 Industry professionals are not versed enough on recycled materials and products 12 materials 13 Recycled materials does not always meet projects needs and quality requirements Supply of recycled materials is not always of the same quality 14 15 Market supply of recycled materials is not always reliable There is a perceived culture among construction professionals that Recycled 16 materials and products are inferior Level of recycled contents in products is not always clear and easy to find 17 18 Legislation prevents the use of Recycled Products and Materials 19 Lack of tax breaks for contractors
Public authorities can play a Public procurement in 2015 (in % of GDP) vital role in attaining Mexico Ireland Switzerland economies of scale United States Portugal Italy Spain Lithuania Turkey Greece OECD - Total Luxembourg Latvia Poland Korea United Kingdom Australia OECD - Average Slovenia Canada Austria Iceland Norway Estonia Denmark Israel Belgium In 2017 Life-cycle assessment Czech Republic France was considered in 17 cases New Zealand Germany in 139133 public procurement Sweden Hungary processes in Poland, i.e. it was used in Japan Slovak Republic 0.01% of all cases Finland Netherlands - 5,00 10,00 15,00 20,00 25,00
Public sector has the potential to ignite construction innovation Sources of innovation in built environment Construction innovation impact of procurement practices
Standardization and outcome-based approach is essential for a swift circular concept implementation Barriers for innovation in the construction sectro, in the context of public procurement Integrated energy management programme in Italy required providers to increase heating efficiency in public buildings, proofs of which have been independently examined. In result of the project the heating expenses at over 5 thousand buildings have decreased by 27%.
Decreasing asymmetry of information should supplement other actions This concerns in particular: Durability Costs Externalities Energy efficiency Additionally nudging the consumer by framing the information could be valuable.
Cooperation is essential for the circular model to work properly SYNERGY
Synergy effects could be attained by using circular business models
Circular Construction is not achievable without appropriate technologies
Digitalization is essential in the process of circular model implementation Digitalization in construction sector concerns e.g.: Building Information Modelling and Material Passports 3D printing Augmented reality
Digitalization enables modularity and adaptability Construction digitalization enables i.a.: decreasing waste and increasing reusage increasing durability and value in the lifecycle easier modifications and multifunctionality better resource efficiency
Recycling solutions and industrial symbiosis seem to develop quickly Recycling of materials Using by-products of Highly recyclable materials previously considered one industry in other that are themselves made unrecyclable sectors from recyclate or natural materials
New material technologies in line with circular economy concept Flooring materials that have self-healing properties and are 100% recyclable Enhanced styropor, offering up to 20% efficiency improvement in insulation Organically coated steel that achieves 30-year guaranteed durability and does not contain genotoxic, hexavalent chromium Self-healing concrete, generated through the addition of bacterial spores, is estimated to reduce lifetime costs by up to 50% Rain-absorbing roof-mats, imitating the process of perspiration, considerably reduce air-conditioning costs
• The construction sector has been and is predestined to use circular economic model The switch to • In XX century we have forgotten about that, leaning towards linear construction circular construction • Switching once again to circular solutions may reap immense benefits not only for the economy but also the environment, as is imminent and construction is the most polluting sector of all • The role of public authorities it will benefit us all is quintessential in this aspect. • New business models, innovations and technologies may quicken this process
Thank you!
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