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Assessing the Impact of Recycled Building Materials on Environmental Sustainability and Energy Efficiency: A Comprehensive Framework for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
In this study, we critically examine the potential of recycled construction materials, focusing on how these materials can significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy usage in the construction sector. By adopting an integrated approach that combines Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Material Flow Analysis (MFA) within the circular economy framework, we thoroughly examine the lifecycle environmental performance of these materials. Our findings reveal a promising future where incorporating recycled materials in construction can significantly lower GHG emissions and conserve energy. This underscores their crucial role in advancing sustainable construction practices. Moreover, our study emphasizes the need for robust regulatory frameworks and technological innovations to enhance the adoption of environmentally responsible practices. We encourage policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the academic community to collaborate and promote the adoption of a circular economy strategy in the building sector. Our research contributes to the ongoing discussion on sustainable construction, offering evidence-based insights that can inform future policies and initiatives to improve environmental stewardship in the construction industry. This study aligns with the European Union’s objectives of achieving climate-neutral cities by 2030 and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals outlined for completion by 2030. Overall, this paper contributes to the ongoing dialogue on sustainable construction, providing a fact-driven basis for future policy and initiatives to enhance environmental stewardship in the industry.
Journal Article
Optimal Replacement Ratio of Recycled Concrete Aggregate Balancing Mechanical Performance with Sustainability: A Review
Significant construction and demolition waste (CDW) is produced by many useless concrete buildings, bridges, airports, highways, railways, industrial mining, etc. The rising need for new construction has increased the use of natural materials, impacting the ecosystem and incurring high costs from mining natural aggregates (NA) and processing CDW. The concept and implementation of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) offer a sustainable solution for the concrete industry. Crushed concrete, made from recycled concrete, can be used instead of natural aggregates in structural concrete. This sustainable byproduct, recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), has the potential to replace natural aggregate. This paper examines the benefits of RAC from economic, social, environmental, and technological perspectives and discusses the replacement ratio (RR)—the weight percentage of natural aggregate replaced by recycled aggregate—which is crucial to RAC performance. A collection of used data on mechanical properties and economic performance, national specifications, standards, and guidelines is reviewed to determine the optimal replacement ratio for RCA, which was found to be 20%. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future of using RAC in structural concrete.
Journal Article
The Potential Contribution of Modular Volumetric Timber Buildings to Circular Construction: A State-of-the-Art Review Based on Literature and 60 Case Studies
When facing the increasing demands of the housing market and balancing the requirements of sustainable development in the construction sector, building design methods should practise material conservation and adopt carbon reduction measures to alleviate the current environmental burden through the implementation of a circular economy approach. Volumetric modular timber design is recognised as a practical application to test the feasibility of a waste-reduced approach. Driven by the aim of further improving volumetric modular timber construction and increasing its use in a circular economy framework, this paper presents a case study review of 60 modular timber building projects constructed using volumetric modules. The dimensions, the architectural and structural design, and the manufacturing and assembly processes of the three-dimensional modular units were assessed to explore their potential for contributing to a circular built environment. The results show that the similarly sized modular volumetric timber units have the potential to serve different functions, and to be reused in subsequent projects. The stacking design allows modular volumetric units to be reused in a way that supports function conversion and satisfies project coordination criteria. The case studies illustrate that modular timber buildings are increasingly used for flexible design solutions, and to meet carbon emission reduction targets. The analysis results can address prevalent misconceptions regarding modular wood construction, provide interested parties with a better understanding, and promote the use of modular volumetric timber units in general.
Journal Article
Moving towards socio-technical scenarios of the German energy transition—lessons learned from integrated energy scenario building
Energy scenarios describing transition pathways towards low-emission energy systems are commonly used to design mitigation strategies. There is a growing awareness in the research community that energy transitions should be understood as socio-technical transitions and that energy scenario construction should reflect this fact. This paper presents an application of a socio-technical scenario building method for improving long-term scenarios and strategies for the energy transition in Germany. Developing integrated scenarios on a national level starts with employing the cross impact balancing (CIB) approach for identifying consistent societal scenarios. As a first step, relevant context factors are selected and defined (39 descriptors and alternative future developments). Interviews with experts are used to develop a qualitative impact network for the CIB. The resulting context scenarios are then transferred to quantitative energy scenarios by using two different energy models that account for energy demand and supply structures for Germany. A final evaluation focuses on primary energy demand, renewable energy shares, and direct energy-related CO2 emissions. The approach integrates statements of societal and energy model experts and results in an interdisciplinary knowledge integration. This in turn provides insight into the method’s capacity to improve the consistency of energy scenarios and to identify potential societal risks related to the energy transition process.
Journal Article
Chemical Recycling of Silicones—Current State of Play (Building and Construction Focus)
As the demand for silicone polymers continues to grow across various industries, the need for effective recycling methods has become increasingly important, because recycling silicone products reduces landfill waste, conserves resources, and uses less energy. Chemical recycling involves the depolymerization of silicone waste into oligomers, which can then be used to produce virgin-grade silicone. While this sector of the recycling industry is still in its infancy—we estimate that 35,000 to 45,000 metric tons of silicone waste will be chemically recycled worldwide in 2024—an increasing number of companies are beginning to explore the implementation of closed-loop systems to recycle silicones. This article examines the technical options and challenges for recycling silicone polymers, the major degradation chemistries available for depolymerizing silicones, and the current industrial reality of chemical recycling of silicones.
Journal Article
Assessment of Phase Change Materials Incorporation into Construction Commodities for Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Building Applications
The significant energy consumption and contribution to greenhouse gas emissions by the construction sector need careful attention to explore innovative sustainable solutions for improving the energy efficiency and thermal comfort of building envelopes. The integration of phase-change materials (PCMs) into building commodities is a favorable technology for minimizing energy consumption and enhancing thermal performance. This review paper covers the impact of PCM incorporation into construction materials, such as walls, roofs, and glazing units. Additionally, it examines different embedding techniques like direct incorporation, immersion, macro and micro-encapsulation, and form and shape-stable PCM. Factors affecting the thermal performance of PCM-integrated buildings, including melting temperature, thickness, position, volumetric change, vapor pressure, density, optical properties, latent heat, thermal conductivity, chemical stability, and climate conditions, are elaborated. Furthermore, the latest experimental and numerical simulations, as well as modeling techniques, evident from case studies, are investigated. Ultimately, the advantages of PCM integration, including energy savings, peak load reduction, improvement in interior comfort, and reduced heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning dependence, are explained alongside the limitations. Finally, the recent progress and future potential of PCM-integrated construction materials are discussed, focusing on innovations in this field, addressing the status of policies in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and outlining research potential for the future.
Journal Article
Carbon Footprint of Global Construction Industries: A Cross-Country Analysis of Emissions, Drivers, and the Construction Carbon Sustainability Index (1990–2023)
In this study, construction-related carbon emissions were evaluated across different countries, utilizing 7038 observations from 1990 to 2023. Building and cement production data were combined with economic and demographic indicators to perform descriptive analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and multiple regression modeling for emission driver identification and the development of the Construction Carbon Sustainability Index (CCSI). The results of this study demonstrate that cement production, combined with building activities, generates the most significant emissions, while population expansion and urban growth patterns create the highest levels of emission intensity. The two main components from the PCA explain more than 80% of national emission patterns through their combination of “Cement and Building Emission Intensity” and “Economic and Urban Development Drivers.” The CCSI shows that OECD and G20 nations achieve the best construction sustainability results, whereas China and India produce the most carbon emissions due to their rapid development, which relies heavily on resource utilization. The findings demonstrate that sustainable construction requires both production efficiency improvements and policy reforms to establish a global standard for construction sector growth that meets net-zero emission targets.
Journal Article
Insulating Innovative Geopolymer Foams with Natural Fibers and Phase-Change Materials—A Review of Solutions and Research Results
Geopolymers are synthesized using anthropogenic raw materials and waste from the energy industry. Their preparation necessitates an alkaline activator, which facilitates the dissolution of raw materials and their subsequent binding. At present, geopolymers are considered a promising material with the potential to replace conventional cement-based products. This research investigates foamed geopolymer materials based on fly ash, natural fibers, and phase-change materials. The study utilized three distinct types of fibers and two phase-change materials manufactured by Rubitherm Technologies GmbH of Germany. This paper presents the results of the thermal conductivity coefficient and specific heat tests on the finished foams. Additionally, compressive strength tests were conducted on the samples after 28 days. Natural fibers decreased the insulation parameter by 12%, while PCM enhanced it by up to 6%. The addition of fibers increased the compressive strength by nearly 30%, whereas PCM reduced this by as little as 14%. Natural fibers and phase-change materials had an increased heat capacity by up to 35%. The results demonstrated the material’s potential in various industrial sectors, with the primary areas of application being building materials and insulations. The findings illustrate the significant potential of these composites as energetically and environmentally sustainable materials.
Journal Article
Post-Industrial Adaptive Reuse in Poland as an Educational Template for Circular Economy in Architecture
Given the increasing global emphasis on implementing the circular economy (CE) across political, social, and economic domains, the application of its principles in architecture and construction is gaining strategic importance. This article explores the use of the 4R concept—reduce, reuse, recycle, recover—in the revitalization of post-industrial sites as a tool supporting the sustainable transformation of the built environment. In the theoretical section, a literature review is conducted to highlight the growing interest among researchers in CE-related issues and to outline the main directions of studies, including the integration of circular strategies with the challenges of adapting and sustainably transforming industrial heritage. The empirical section presents a qualitative comparative analysis of ten completed between 2014 and 2024 revitalization projects in Poland. It demonstrates how strategies of resource reduction, reuse, recycling, and recovery are implemented in design and construction practice. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between 4R principles and architectural quality, historical context, and investment goals. The findings indicate that the concept of 4R principles supports the reduction in environmental impact while creating new cultural value. This concept offers a viable tool for sustainable redevelopment of post-industrial buildings while preserving their industrial identity and heritage value.
Journal Article