Material and Circular Economy
Sustainable use of raw and recyclable materials in the construction industry
We live a circular economy reducing our consumption of primary raw materials, minimising our waste volumes and promoting the preservation of high-quality materials.
The construction industry is one of the world's most raw material-intensive sectors. The linear economic system - consisting of raw material extraction, utilisation and disposal - is increasingly reaching its limits, as raw materials are only available in limited quantities. To conserve recyclable materials and reduce waste, there is an urgent need to transform the construction industry into a circular economy. In a circular economy, the life cycle of products and materials is maximised through reuse and recycling, while waste is avoided at the same time.
When we build, we consume large quantities of non-renewable building materials such as sand, stone, asphalt and concrete. Renewable raw materials, especially wood, are also increasingly being used in the construction industry. Once a building has reached the end of its life cycle, large quantities of waste are produced. In most cases, this waste is not recycled in the same way or is even completely removed from the economic cycle when it is thermally utilised as waste or sent to landfill. In addition to the high volume of waste produced, the contaminants contained in the waste pollute the environment in many ways. It is therefore of central importance for us to strengthen measures for waste avoidance and high-quality waste utilisation.
STRABAG's aim is to reduce the environmental impact associated with the consumption of raw materials and waste streams and to promote a resource-efficient circular economy. To achieve our climate targets along the entire value chain, the responsible use of raw materials and the use of innovative, CO2e-optimised building materials play a central role.
Projects and initiatives for the efficient use of raw materials
In the area of circular economy, we are focussing on the following six fields of action:
- Circular design
- Circular building materials
- Zero waste construction site
- Building in existing structures
- Deconstruction
- Value stream management and recovery
Position paper on the circular economy
Current projects in the area of Circular Economy
STRABAG is pursuing various measures and projects to drive forward the circular economy as a central core topic of sustainable transformation.
Reconstruction, conversion and refurbishment
Refurbishment offers a resource-saving alternative to demolishing and building new structures and is an essential part of a successful circular economy. Existing buildings are refurbished or modernised to extend their life cycle.
In 2024, STRABAG created the brand BESTAND BEYOND. The aim is to create an integrated range of services from as-built surveys to planning, construction, dismantling and operation. To this end, staff units were set up in various Group and Central Divisions that work together to implement circular projects for our customers.
Circular building materials
For a functioning circular economy, it is important to shift the focus from the use of primary raw materials to the increased use of secondary materials and renewable resources. To this end, we are focussing on natural insulating materials such as hemp and flax straw. They have a minimal ecological footprint and bind CO2. As part of an internal Group requirements analysis, other key renewable raw materials and building materials were also identified for the Group. These were assessed based on ecological, economic, technical and legal criteria. Based on this, key topics, such as the use of biochar, were defined to drive forward research in these areas.
Value stream management
To be able to analyse our value streams and manage them in the cycle, a robust data system is essential. To this end, a standardised system for recording waste volumes was developed in 2023 and introduced across the Group in January 2024. With this, the Group's data basis was improved. Further, our recyclables can be managed better in the future.
In addition, we use GIS-based site maps to create an information base for value stream managers. The tool is relevant for utilising recyclable materials across construction sites, thereby increasing our own added value.
Another key aspect is the expansion of STRABAG's own sites that can be used for value stream management. This enables us to reuse more recyclable materials at our own sites and recycle them within the Group.
Further projects
Click here for an insight into STRABAG’s projects related to materials and circularity
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