Circular Economy, solution
for low carbon / material buildings "
Transition required Linear -> Circular Economy "
Circular Economy: ʻKeeping materials and resources in use, materials retain
their value/function at end of life in stead of waste / discard / downcycling"
Circular Economy: end of life different building materials
Re-use ~ 0 %
Recycle granulate: 1-5%
Downcycle/Landfill : ~ 95-98%
1-5% recycling
Infographic courtesy of BCSA. Data generated from TRADA/BCSA/WRAP analysis
Re-use 10 %
Recycle : incineration/
Downcycle/landfill : ~ 90%
~ 10% re-use
Reuse : 5 - 40%
Recycle : balance
Landfill: 0 %
100 % re-use + recycling
Building & Construction NL is still Linear !!"
4
NL Building & Construction waste : 24 mio ton/year !!!" aste
w
ilding
u
b
m
Proble
90% stone/bricks/concrete"
-> dust , noise problem demolishing"
-> 2 mio truckloads to discharge"
Lowgrade
road base/fill
97%
2%
Concrete
Source: eindrapport hoogwaardig hergebruik steenachtige materialen /Agentschap NL 2010
1%
Loss Granulate
(Downcyling, hence
leaving Circular
Economy)
Problems of non - Circular Building & Construction NL
Empty / redundant offices/shops NL :
13,2 mio m2 = 27% of market (2015)
Steel is 100% Circular Material
Recycling Steelscrap
Scrap based Steelproduction Re-use steelbeams
Steel products
Demountability Adaptable floorspaces Lightweight construction
Steel already 100% Circular Material "
Steel = adaptable -> extended life + steel buildings retain value "
Steel!
Steel is demountable -> easy to reuse "
1942
Circular Economy"
1958
20XX
2015
10
Zuiderstrand theater Scheveningen : 100% Circulair Zuiderstrandtheater Scheveningen "
• 
• 
1
1
Temorary building for Ochestra and
Dance theater
Costal location
Zuiderstrand theater Scheveningen : 100% Circulair Zuiderstrandtheater Scheveningen "
•  Modulair steelstructure +
cladding panels -> 100%
demountable / reusable, "
Distributiecentrum Fokker 7/8 Schiphol: 100% Circulair • 
Constructie : "
–  Modulaire afmetingen ->
herbruikbaar "
–  Verbindingen -> geen gelaste
verbindingen , 100% bout/
moer-> demontabel "
• 
• 
• 
Binnenbekleding is geschroefd, geen
geschoten verbindingen, dus
demontabel"
Gevel –geschroefd-in
trapeziumprofielen SAB 40/915 en SAB
35/1035 in Colorcoat®"
Materialen paspoort: databank voor
toekomstig hergebruik"
Distribution center Fokker 7/8 Schiphol: 100% Circular 1
4
100% bolted / screw connections ->
demountable"
Modular dimensions -> facilitation reuse"
Material passport for future re-use"
Steel is lightweight: 6 Bevis Marks London"
8 storey brick/concrete building converted to
16 storey steel building (same foundation) !
Steel has low carbon footprint "
http://2015.ctbuh.org/
Steel is fast and clean erection"
Steel: fire safety engineering -> no fire protection required"
Student Housing!
The Hague!
Steel: thermal comfort with light steel solution "
Wilo, Zaandam!
Steel: high sound insulation, acoustic de-coupling"
Schutterstoren, Amsterdam!
Steel : Aesthetical solutions"
Timmerhuis Rotterdam!
Conclusions:"
  Development of low carbon buildings and associated
reduction in energy/material consumption is one of the
biggest challenges currently facing the construction
industry. "
  Circular Economy principles provides solutions for material
and energy reduction. "
  Steel is the perfect material for a Circular Economy:"
  Low weight hence transport/ foundation saving"
  Durable/Flexible/Adaptable hence long functional life "
  Only building material with significant proven Re-use
and option for Up-cycling"
2
2
END Steel in Circular Economy already today !!"
2
4
E-bay: 1800 hits (steelbeam/
construction)
Marktplaats : ca 500 hits (steel beam,
lintel, profile)
Problems of NL non - Circular Building & Construction
2015: Empty / redundant offices/shops
NL : 13,2 mio m2 = 27% of market
No steel framed office/shops empty/redundant :
–  Steelstructures are flexible/adaptable
-> option other functions
–  Steelstructure are de-montable
-> re-use building parts in new structures
–  Steelstructures have high material
residual value -> recycling pays for
demolition costs
Concrete als Claiming Circularity @ 4 % recycled granulate ??"
Granulate max 55 kg/m2=55/2400=2,2%
Granulate 50% of concrete weight ->
max 4% recycling