Article: How far are we from circularity in construction becoming standard practice?

The era of “build, use, demolish” is steadily disappearing. Construction materials are no longer viewed as disposable but as assets with multiple lifecycles.

What once seemed experimental is now moving toward becoming standard practice.

 

UPB Group, with integrated expertise in concrete, steel, and glazed aluminium structures, has accumulated valuable practical experience in this transition. According to Inese Jureviča, Head of Business Development at UPB, the industry is still in the early phase of adopting circular methods: “We’ve worked on several projects where reused structures were integrated into new developments. These are incremental steps, and much depends on the development of the supply chain, market practices and regulatory changes to make a true turnaround in the industry.”

 

Navigating a Missing Supply Chain

A major challenge is the absence of a structured supply chain for reused materials. Without established networks, sourcing suitable components is complex.
“Finding donor buildings that would be suitable for a particular new build project is difficult; the verification of the service life of the reused elements and design adaptation is the next challenge”, Jureviča explains.

This became clear in the Skanska Olivin development in Stockholm, where UPB incorporated hollow-core slabs previously used as temporary stabilisation elements on another site. Even after locating the right components, additional work was needed - optimising dimensions to minimise scrap and planning efficient installation. Reused materials often become a “project within a project,” requiring close coordination between design and project teams.

Through a holistic approach, UPB successfully integrated these elements into the framework and optimised the project design, reducing overall emissions by 30% and lowering costs by 8.9% compared to initial estimates.

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Adapting Materials for New Architectural Purposes

Another example comes from a retirement home in Linköping, where UPB incorporated reused bricks into prefabricated façade walls. Although the bricks were sourced locally, their reuse required significant preparation. “Working with reclaimed materials means dealing with variations in shape, colour, and remaining mortar,” Jureviča notes. “Our specialists and engineers had to determine the correct sequence and processing methods to achieve consistent architectural outcome.”

These examples reflect a broader industry shift: the question is no longer whether circular construction is possible, but how to implement it efficiently. Companies with integrated design, manufacturing, and installation capabilities have an advantage, as coordinated planning proves essential for reuse to be viable.

Beyond Circularity

At the same time, rising sustainability expectations are pushing manufacturers to rethink traditional product choices. For example, UPB has developed its own low-carbon concrete product line, with three CO₂-reduced strategies using optimized cement content and alternative binders that enable to reduce up to 50% of CO2 emissions from average industry levels. “It’s a combination of diverse emission-reducing strategies and a coordinated approach that makes the real difference”, I.Jurevica concludes.

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