Sustainable circular economy in the construction industry

October 2024

The 2024 autumn event organised by Baustoff Kreislauf Schweiz will shed light on the challenges and opportunities of the circular economy in the construction industry. The focus will be on approaches to decarbonisation, optimisation of concrete, pollutant control and the use of durable materials. Insights into specific projects and a sample industry roadmap offer practical solutions for experts and companies.

One of the key challenges facing the construction industry is the reduction of CO2 emissions. By decarbonising processes and procedures in the gravel, concrete and recycling industry, companies can make an important contribution to sustainability. The autumn event offers an industry roadmap to help companies identify and implement sensible measures to reduce emissions.

Optimising concrete as a building material for sustainable construction projects
Concrete is still one of the most widely used building materials in the world. However, sustainability also plays a decisive role here. The autumn event will show how the sustainability properties of concrete can be optimised and used in a targeted manner. At the end of a building project, the question arises as to how materials can be reused. Options such as renovation, refurbishment or recycling offer sustainable solutions, which will be discussed at the event.

Pollutant control and separation as the basis of the circular economy
A successful circular economy requires the targeted separation and control of pollutants. This begins with the planning of a construction project and continues with material treatment and disposal. At the autumn event, the key aspects of pollutant separation will be explained, which are essential for achieving sustainable results in dismantling projects.

Dealing with persistent substances such as PFAS
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS) are a group of persistent substances that are increasingly becoming the focus of environmental research. These substances are ubiquitous and pose a particular challenge in the circular economy. The autumn event will provide insights into the possibilities and limitations of dealing with PFAS and highlight solutions that can be implemented in practice.

Innovative decarbonisation projects in practice
A highlight of the autumn event is the presentation of the world’s largest electric melting furnace for rock wool. This innovative project shows how decarbonisation is implemented in practice and what potential lies in the production of stone wool. Experts will gain practical insights into the technical developments and their contribution to a sustainable circular economy.

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