Accelerating Circularity in Construction Requires a Lifecycle Approach

The construction industry has a significant role to play in the transition to a circular economy. Buildings and construction account for nearly one-third of global material extraction, while construction and demolition activities generate more than a third of all waste in the EU. Despite growing awareness of resource efficiency, the use of secondary materials remains relatively low. These challenges highlight the need for a more circular approach that keeps materials in use for longer and reduces dependence on virgin resources.

Circularity is about more than recycling. It requires businesses to consider the entire product lifecycle, from design and manufacturing to use, reuse and end-of-life recovery. By doing so, companies can improve resource efficiency, reduce waste and retain more value within their products and supply chains.

A circular economy is built around three key principles:

1. reducing reliance on finite resources,
2. extending the life of products and materials, and
3. recovering materials for future use rather than disposing of them as waste.

Achieving these goals requires a lifecycle perspective because decisions made at the design stage directly affect what is possible later. Material choices influence manufacturing processes and recyclability, while design decisions determine whether products can be repaired, refurbished, reused or effectively recovered.

Product design is therefore one of the most important drivers of circularity. Alongside performance requirements, designers should consider durability, material efficiency and end-of-life recovery. Products designed for disassembly and reuse are more likely to retain value over time, reducing waste and the need for replacement materials.

Raw material selection also plays a vital role. Increasing the use of recycled and renewable materials can significantly reduce reliance on virgin resources. Kingspan, for example, has committed to using 1.5 million tonnes of recycled and renewable raw materials annually by 2030. Through its Synthesia Technology business, the company uses recycled PET in the production of materials for insulated panels and is exploring the use of waste polyester textiles as an alternative feedstock.

This demonstrates an important aspect of circularity: materials do not necessarily need to return to the same product or industry. Waste from short-lived consumer products can become a valuable resource for long-lasting construction applications, helping to reduce material loss and keep resources in productive use.

Manufacturing processes also present opportunities to advance circularity. Reducing production waste, reusing by-products and improving resource efficiency can help minimise landfill disposal and support recovery initiatives. Controlled manufacturing environments are often ideal for developing and testing circular solutions because material quality and availability are well understood.

Extending product lifespan delivers even greater value. Programmes that recover and refurbish products for reuse can reduce demand for new materials while meeting market needs. Where reuse is not possible, mechanical and chemical recycling can recover materials and return them to productive use.

However, barriers remain. Technology, infrastructure and economics all influence the success of circular solutions. Recovery systems require effective collection, sorting and processing networks, while market demand for recycled materials and reused products must be strong enough to support investment.

Overcoming these challenges requires collaboration across the value chain. Manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, building owners and recyclers must work together to develop practical solutions and create markets for secondary materials.

Ultimately, accelerating circularity in construction requires action at every stage of the product lifecycle. By designing for longevity, increasing recycled content, improving manufacturing efficiency and investing in recovery systems, the industry can reduce waste, lower environmental impacts and build a more resilient and sustainable future.

Adapted from an article by Holly Loughman, head of sustainability at Kingspan, in edie.