The circular economy

construction

We address the entire construction supply chain: construction and/or demolition companies, architecture and engineering firms, material suppliers, project managers, contractors, real estate investors and the real estate sector. Our services are focused on the three main areas that can be the subject of innovative policy development to apply the circular economy to construction: Construction waste, Building materials and components, Design criteria and construction management.

Current sector scenario

40%

CO2 emissions and energy demand from buildings

38,8%

Of the materials consumed each year are used in construction,

3%

CO2 emissions caused by cement production

European directives and targets for the circular economy in buildings

New European Bauhaus. A European Commission project to rethink the places we live in a circular perspective, making them beautiful, sustainable and inclusive.
European Directive 2008/98/EC and the CAM Building Decree. Provided for the recovery of 70% of construction & demolition (C&D) materials by 2020.
Aligned with the Green Deal, the Circular Economy Action Plan, the EU’s New Industrial Strategy 2020 and the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda.
2018 Package of European Directives. Introduces new Zero Emission, Waste and Circular Economy obligations.

Why is it important to apply the circular economy to construction?

Applying the circular economy principles to construction would significantly reduce the negative externalities of one of the industries with the highest environmental and climate impacts in the world, while improving the social and economic aspects of a sector that defines and creates the places we live our daily lives. In addition to the environmental benefits, a circular approach in construction leads to numerous business and strategic advantages. We are talking about €37 billion in estimated savings by 2030 from adopting a closed-loop system in construction. In addition, it allows for earlier compliance with increasing regulations on various areas of sustainability management and reporting, such as the European Directive 2008/98/EC requiring the recovery of 70% of construction and demolition materials by 2020.

How to make construction more circular

Increase the use of recycled and low-impact materials
Promote waste recovery and reduction
Increasing the technical value of materials and structures from C&D (construction and demolition) waste
Provide for selective collection of C&D waste
increasing the energy efficiency of buildings
Favouring renovation over construction
Introduce Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) models.
Circularity can help your construction business to become circular.

Circularity examples

Some companies in the construction sector have made their business a virtuous example of the circular economy. Thanks to a systemic overview, they were able to exploit their resources to benefit from them for themselves and for the environment.

From rice to building materials

Some construction companies have managed to achieve energy savings by producing structures (panels, frames, plasters) from rice and straw production waste. Thanks to a mixture of lime and straw, the products are very light, highly thermal, breathable and natural. They are also very easy to lay, similar to cement, and are suitable for all types of construction.

From agricultural waste to acoustic panels

There are companies that have obtained materials from a mixture of mushrooms, agricultural waste and wood shavings, which can be used in construction and for acoustic panels and packaging. These biomaterials offer performance and costs on a par with current petrochemical plastics, but produce no waste, no carbon emissions and are time-saving. In addition, they can be composted and turned into fertiliser.

From architecture to circular architecture

There are architects and builders who upgrade and extend existing buildings by reusing more than 90% of the original building materials, thus saving 50% of energy and raw materials. Another example is new buildings in which more than 90% recycled materials and modular, rebuildable elements are used. These are more energy efficient, redistributing excess energy to the local grid.

Circularity, the circular economy partner for construction companies

Circularity can help you reconceive the production model of your construction company from a circular perspective. Applying circular economy principles to the construction sector can radically reduce its carbon footprint, reduce the demand for virgin materials and turn waste into a resource.

By starting your circular journey with Circularity you will become part of an industrial symbiosis system characterised by the involvement of a multitude of companies and production sectors, in which the waste from one process becomes the input for the next.