SOCOTEC UK played a key role in a refurbishment project at a secure school catering to students sentenced to custody and remand by the courts. The school premises include two education blocks, one services block, and three residential blocks. SOCOTEC UK’s specific focus was on the residential blocks, namely Blocks
Groupe Atlantic companies Ideal Heating – Commercial Products and ACV UK will be joining forces again at this year’s Specifi Mechanical Services events being held across the breadth of Great Britain. Under their ‘Experts Together’ banner, Ideal Heating and ACV will be exhibiting at twelve of the Specifi shows, including Bristol,
Warringtonfire has appointed Rob Axe as the General Manager of its fire testing laboratory in High Wycombe. Rob, who began his career as a Technical Officer at the High Wycombe laboratory, most recently held the role of Technical Manager for Warringtonfire – a global leader in Fire Testing, Inspection and
When thinking of innovative spaces, the office may not be the first place that comes to mind. Traditionally, office interior design has reflected some of the mundane tasks that come with a 9-5 role. But as our relationship with the workplace has changed for the better, we are seeing more
The volumetric modular sector is at a critical tipping point. The industry faces unprecedented challenges following a year of fluctuating demand in the housing sector – combined with increased scrutiny from the market and media. But while there are many obstacles to overcome, those operating in the modular industry are
By David Norman, Davon For smaller and medium-sized developers, 2023 was the year that everything took longer. It took longer to find and acquire land, longer to obtain bank funding and longer to get materials delivered but most of all, it took longer to get planning permission. There was barely
Today, the Sustainability Tool, in collaboration with the Supply Chain Sustainability School’s Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) Programme, has unveiled the outcomes of the largest-ever employee diversity survey in the United Kingdom. This comprehensive survey, encompassing more than 526,000 individuals, has been a crucial annual fixture in the built environment
A major event for the South West construction industry brought together 150 industry leaders and professionals to shine a light on major challenges facing the sector. Attendees gathered at the Future Skills Centre in Exeter for the Constructing Excellence South West Construction and Housing Summit and participated in an exclusive
A host of new features, interactive demos, international pavilions from across the globe, and a charity Gumball Rally across the country have all been announced by the organisers of the UK’s largest event for the built environment, UK Construction Week (UKCW), which makes a welcome return to London’s ExCeL from
A new report published in partnership between McKinsey & Company and the World Economic Forum reveals that the construction sector’s carbon dioxide emissions – from building to real estate to infrastructure – can be reduced by up to 75% or 4 gigatons of carbon dioxide by 2050 through the establishment
SOCOTEC UK played a key role in a refurbishment project at a secure school catering to students sentenced to custody and remand by the courts. The school premises include two education blocks, one services block, and three residential blocks. SOCOTEC UK’s specific focus was on the residential blocks, namely Blocks A, B, and C, two-story existing buildings providing secure residential accommodation and day facilities. The Fire Engineering team at SOCOTEC UK produced the RIBA Stage 4 Fire Strategy Report and mark-ups, offering ad-hoc support throughout the project. Refurbishment adjustments included modifications to existing compartment lines to accommodate communal or shared spaces. For instance, communal kitchen/living spaces were created by incorporating multiple bedrooms, fostering a shared living environment. Each bedroom was equipped with automatic suppression systems, and common corridors were covered by a smoke control system. Innovative solutions were imperative to integrate life safety systems within the constraints of existing buildings and meet specific security requirements outlined by the client. Operating as a hybrid between a boarding school and a secure/custodial facility, the secure school’s unique nature required a thorough understanding of the client’s security requirements. SOCOTEC UK’s expertise enabled them to develop creative solutions to address challenges uncommon in traditional schools or secure facilities. For more information, please contact SOCOTEC on 0845 603 2112 or salesuk@socotec.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Groupe Atlantic companies Ideal Heating – Commercial Products and ACV UK will be joining forces again at this year’s Specifi Mechanical Services events being held across the breadth of Great Britain. Under their ‘Experts Together’ banner, Ideal Heating and ACV will be exhibiting at twelve of the Specifi shows, including Bristol, Birmingham, Nottingham, Liverpool, London, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, and Cardiff. In line with the more informal nature of the Specifi events, where networking and knowledge sharing are the focus, experienced Specification Managers from Ideal Heating and ACV will be providing visitors with invaluable advice to help them achieve their desired heating and hot water outcomes. With much focus on decarbonisation of commercial heating, Ideal Heating will be concentrating on low carbon technologies, including heat pumps and heat networks. The company launched ECOMOD – its first commercial monobloc air source heat pumps – in 2022 and is set to expand this range in 2024. Visitors to the events wishing to learn more about low carbon technologies can sign up for one or more of Ideal Heating’s CIBSE accredited CPD seminars, including the recently introduced ‘Heat Pumps – Technology and Principles’ and ‘Heat Networks and Heat Interface Units.’ Each CPD is an hour long and can be delivered online or in person at one of Ideal’s Centres of Excellence or at the person’s office. In keeping with the events’ focus on decarbonisation, ACV will be promoting its range of wall hung and floor standing electric boilers, the ‘E-Tech’ range, which can be used as a back up for heat pump heating systems. The team will also be on hand to discuss any hot water requirements. Commenting on the decision to return to the Specifi events in 2024, Richard Brown, Head of Specification Sales for Ideal Heating – Commercial Products, says: “I’m really pleased that Ideal Heating are supporting Specifi for another year, alongside ACV. These events give us a great opportunity to meet with specifiers and engineers from a variety of backgrounds and understand the design challenges they face; it’s very much a two way flow of information. Specifi provides the perfect opportunity to discuss our heating and hot water solutions further and how we can help overcome challenging system design.” Pre-registration for the Specifi events is essential. For more information on the location and times, plus to register for free attendance, go to https://www.specifi.co.uk/. For more information on Ideal Heating – Commercial Products, visit: https://www.idealcommercialheating.co.uk/ and for ACV UK go to www.acv.com/gb Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Warringtonfire has appointed Rob Axe as the General Manager of its fire testing laboratory in High Wycombe. Rob, who began his career as a Technical Officer at the High Wycombe laboratory, most recently held the role of Technical Manager for Warringtonfire – a global leader in Fire Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC). With over 15 years’ experience in the field of fire resistance testing and passive fire protection systems, Rob is one of the industry’s leading authorities on testing timber fire doors, penetration seals, cavity barriers, load bearing and non-load bearing wall systems and glazed screens. In his new role, Rob will assume responsibility for Warringtonfire’s testing team in High Wycombe, including recruitment, training and management; as well as developing the laboratory’s on-site testing capabilities. Since his appointment, Rob has already recruited several new team members into varied roles and is currently scoping out the expansion of the laboratory’s mid-scale furnace to accommodate penetration seal testing and increase overall testing capacity at the site. Rob commented: “Having spent the majority of my career working at the High Wycombe laboratory, it is a real privilege to be appointed General Manager for testing at the High Wycombe site. It is an incredibly dynamic time for the industry, as building product manufacturers adapt to the ever-evolving legislative landscape. I am looking forward to working closely with our customers to deliver best-in-class fire resistance testing, while also collaborating with our management team to evolve our own testing capabilities and capacity here in High Wycombe.” Leigh Hill, Director – Built Environment at Element Materials Technology, added: “Rob brings with him a wealth of technical expertise alongside a deep understanding of our testing facilities here in High Wycombe. Our fire testing laboratory is set to play a pivotal role in our wider strategy for the built environment throughout 2024 and beyond, and we are delighted to have an individual of Rob’s calibre at the helm.” Warringtonfire is part of the Element Materials Technology group. Both UKAS and ISO/IEC 17025-accredited, it undertakes testing for fire resistance, smoke leakage, structural integrity and performance, as well as acoustic and mechanical testing for construction products. For more information Warringtonfire’s fire resistance testing offering, please visit: https://www.warringtonfire.com/testing-services/fire-resistance-testing. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
When thinking of innovative spaces, the office may not be the first place that comes to mind. Traditionally, office interior design has reflected some of the mundane tasks that come with a 9-5 role. But as our relationship with the workplace has changed for the better, we are seeing more office spaces injected with life to give them more meaning and purpose than just functionality. If you’re planning an office refurb in 2024 and want to plan your space wisely, we at Diamond Interiors asked the world’s favourite chatbot ChatGPT, what it thought 2024 would bring for office design schemes – here is what it said: Biophilic Design Integrating natural elements into office spaces through the use of plants, natural materials, and large windows is a growing trend. Using greenery in the office not only brings a calming feel helping employees achieve well-being and productivity, but the clever placement of plants can also filter out background noise, and visually break up a room. Try grouping plants by odd numbers, and play around with different heights and sizes, colour shades and leaf shapes to make an eye-catching display. Warm and Inviting Palettes Warm and comforting colours such as soft yellows, peachy tones, and warm neutrals, could be popular in 2024. These shades can create a more inviting and home-like environment and can have an uplifting yet calming effect on your mood. Pastels and off-whites in particular are formulated with light-reflecting particles to brighten spaces well by reflecting light around the room, and when on walls, can act as a simple canvas for furniture and artwork. Accent Colors for Stimulation As your brain processes colours before any other signal or information, bright accent colours like energetic blues or vibrant yellows, can be used strategically to stimulate focus or energy in certain parts of any office. Pops of colour can be added by making bright feature walls contrasted by busy wallpaper or darker-toned colours. To go one step further add matching furniture. Personalisation and Individuality In 2024, offices might also embrace more neutral colour schemes, allowing departments to customise their spaces in a way that resonates with their work or personality. This potential trend could be realised by creating individual accent walls to mark different sections, pop-up furniture, movable desks, and interchangeable seating areas. Modular designs allow for unlimited possibilities, meaning you can structure a space making it as communal or as individual as you like. Soothing and Serene Palettes Soft and soothing shades, especially calming blues and greens, could continue to be popular, as these colours contribute to a tranquil environment and a more relaxed atmosphere. The colours and their similar shades can create a feeling of restfulness and restoration. The key to this design is keeping the space functional and flowing. Make sure the space is free of objects, and colours and furniture are subtle and understated. Experimentation with Textures Using textured elements like wallpapers, fabrics, and surfaces is a great way to add “visual weight” to an interior design scheme by adding depth and interest. You can then add opposing textures which will act as a contrast, making a space visually interesting without being overwhelming. For example, a rough texture can make a bold colour appear even more vibrant, while a smooth texture can provide a delicate backdrop for softer lighter shades. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The volumetric modular sector is at a critical tipping point. The industry faces unprecedented challenges following a year of fluctuating demand in the housing sector – combined with increased scrutiny from the market and media. But while there are many obstacles to overcome, those operating in the modular industry are still pushing game-changing technology and evolving to meet future demands. Taking place on 19 – 20 March 2024 at the Coventry Building Society Arena – Modular Matters aims to separate the fact from the fiction, tackling the big conversations and facing the positive and negative impacts of the last year. With Housing Minister Lee Rowley making the keynote presentation, this event offers a massive opportunity to find out first-hand about the ‘state of the MMC nation.’ Strategic Thinking It is not all doom and gloom, and despite a tough year volumetric modular technology remains at the forefront of innovation, capable of redefining how we think about construction, with the ability to not only improve structures but create sustainable spaces that support a circular economy. With game-changing industry leaders presenting success stories and demonstrating proven techniques for overcoming the current status quo – Modular Matters takes a frank and candid look at the commercial and financial barriers to growth, to determine the roadmap to stable and viable long-term business models. Influence the Narrative With a brand-new venue, the 2024 event will provide a more interactive and engaging platform that encourages active delegate participation through facilitated engagement and discussion. Lifting the bonnet to get to the detail, taking lessons from global benchmarks and client-led conversations. The conference will invite industry innovators, change-leaders, influencers and modernisers to have their say. Modular Matters will determine the actions needed to make radical transformative change in the market and develop a viable and sustainable modular supply chain. Modular Matters offers a platform for all voices in the industry to have their say on: Why Attend? Raising the bar, building on the successes of previous events, while diversifying and expanding the programme and exhibition to attract a wider audience – Modular Matters presents an opportunity to join the conversation and connect with key players in the sector as well as suppliers, manufacturers, architects and decision makers from local authorities and the public sector. Modular Matters 2024 invites delegates to deep dive into the current state of the modular market, tackling the recent changes and increased media attention following the withdrawal of multiple players from the sector. With an objective to influence, inform and investigate – Modular Matters will address roadblocks, identify solutions, analyse successes and separate the myths from the facts. Keynote speaker, Housing Minister Lee Rowley will be joined by presenters from Homes England, TopHat, Crown Commercial Services, Tide/Vision, Platform Housing Group, HLM Architects, Cartwright Pickard, Fulcro Engineering Services, Beattie Passive, Portakabin, Algeco, McAvoy, Elements Europe, Lighthouse, MTX, TG Escapes, Kope, So Modular, Mishcon de Reya and Reds 10. For the full speaker line up and to book your place, go to: www.modularmatters.co.uk
By David Norman, Davon For smaller and medium-sized developers, 2023 was the year that everything took longer. It took longer to find and acquire land, longer to obtain bank funding and longer to get materials delivered but most of all, it took longer to get planning permission. There was barely a day all year when I didn’t have a discussion with a client involving planning. The industry’s frustration with the ponderous UK system is palpable. It’s particularly galling for the SME residential developers who are typically our clients because they have fewer resources to deal with the bureaucracy and face more intense financial pressures than the big hitters, notably on cashflow. When you are stretched on a project having shelled out for a parcel of land, planning delays pile up your bank interest. Time is money. And it is not just delays that eat cash. Even a small development of, say, two houses can incur upfront costs of £30-50,000 in planning and professional fees. For more complex projects, that number can easily top £100,000 when you factor in consultancy fees for a broader raft of planning hurdles such as right to light and environmental studies. Another big-ticket pre-planning bill can be option fees for the landowner. Unfortunately for developers, banks dislike lending against developments pending planning applications as there are no assets in the project, which means the developer must find the cash. These pressures have had a cataclysmic effect on smaller to medium residential developers. According to the Federation of Master Builders, 40 years ago SME house builders delivered 40% of our homes. Today, this figure is just 12%. Planning is not the only culprit. The FMB says the sector has been hit hard by successive recessions. They report that SME and custom builders say they struggle to access finance and land, but right up there on their list of complaints is the difficulty of navigating Britain’s complex planning system. Our experience at Davon talking to SME residential developers throughout last year bore that out, so we were pleased to give our support to the FMB’s campaign for: For years, successive governments have promised action to tackle the housing shortage and streamline the planning system. Yet the industry sees little or no progress and has become at least sceptical if not cynical. The latest government initiative is the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act which became law in October 2023. It is supposed to speed up the planning system, hold developers to account, cut bureaucracy, and encourage more councils to put in place plans to enable the building of new homes. The Act promises that new developments will be more attractive with better infrastructure such as GP surgeries, schools and transport links. Development will be shaped by local people’s democratic wishes, enhance the environment and create neighbourhoods where people want to live and work. That all sounds great, but will it happen? One feature of the Act that caught my eye is to give councils the power to work directly with landlords to bring empty buildings back into use by local businesses and community groups, “breathing life back into empty high streets”. Many people in the property and construction world will tell you that converting offices and retail premises into residential is fraught with difficulty, but it can be done successfully. Take our client, Barker Homes for example. We have provided mezzanine finance for a series of their conversion projects, the latest being a £10.5 million redevelopment to transform a town centre commercial building in Hemel Hempstead into 40 luxury apartments. If planning policy changes can smooth the path for more of these and other kinds of conversion of redundant buildings, that would be welcome. It will be necessary if the Act is to deliver on its objectives, which include directing growth to support the regeneration of brownfield sites and renewing and levelling up towns and cities with more homes in Britain’s largest urban centres including in the North and Midlands. The government says that this will not only make the most of brownfield land but also maximise the use of existing infrastructure, taking advantage of structural change in urban land use and reducing the need for unnecessary travel. One criticism we often hear is that national and local planning is not joined up. To some extent this is addressed in the Act with new joint spatial development strategies to bring together planning authorities across boundaries where there are strategic reasons to do so. But at the local level where our clients operate, it is the promise of a speeded up, streamlined planning service that is most appealing. Previously mooted planning overhauls have met with reticence from the planners themselves but this time, at least publicly, they are being supportive. The Act has been backed by the planners’ professional association, the Royal Town Planning Institute, although its chief executive, Victoria Hills, said if it is to be successful, the government must engage frequently with planners to ensure that new regulations and policy work as intended and deliver on those promises. To me, that is the crux of the matter. There have been too many initiatives for change in the system that have fallen by the wayside as well as promises to deliver on housing and regeneration that have been little more than re-hashed versions of existing policies. What the industry desperately needs is action, and that means ensuring that planners are on board with the spirit of the new law. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Today, the Sustainability Tool, in collaboration with the Supply Chain Sustainability School’s Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) Programme, has unveiled the outcomes of the largest-ever employee diversity survey in the United Kingdom. This comprehensive survey, encompassing more than 526,000 individuals, has been a crucial annual fixture in the built environment sector’s progress tracking since 2016, offering a detailed record of diversity data and pinpointing areas for improvement. The 2023 survey results, covering 526,415 employees across 537 supply chains of eight major companies and two membership organisations, highlight a substantial increase in participation, with a 55% surge in employees covered and a remarkable 99% rise in participating companies compared to 2022. The inclusion of contributions from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) played a significant role in this expansion. This year’s findings reveal a noteworthy surge of women in the industry, rising from 23% in 2022 to 29.1% in 2023. This significant increase, marking the survey’s most significant rise in seven years, is primarily attributed to first-time reporting by several Tier 1 organisations. Sectors leading this positive shift include central government, rail, and facilities management, all surpassing the industry benchmark value of 29.1%. Key takeaways from the 2023 survey: The survey plays a pivotal role in supporting the built environment sector’s commitment to promoting diversity, equality and inclusion, establishing benchmarks, and highlighting areas requiring action for industry-wide progress. Belinda Blake, Senior Policy Advisor – Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at National Highways, said: “By assessing our workforce against sector benchmarks and ONS UK population statistics, we gather valuable insights that enable us to create a targeted roadmap for improvements. This annual data capture exercise is also instrumental in reinforcing the built environment sector’s dedication to diversity, equality, and inclusion. The report offers essential data, serving as a foundation for setting benchmarks and driving progress across the industry. Together, we hold the power to ignite positive change, guiding the sector towards a future that is more equitable and diverse.” Findings from the survey were initially shared at the Supply Chain Sustainability School’s ‘Diversity Data Benchmarking Conference’ in Birmingham last month. The conference emphasised the importance of organisations contributing to the survey to enhance the transparency of the sector and improve diversity and inclusion in key areas such as gender and ethnic diversity. Along with plugging gaps in data capture around disability, pay gaps were also highlighted as areas for attention to achieve a more transparent industry view. Cathryn Greville, Head of Fairness, Inclusion and Respect at Supply Chain Sustainability School, said: “The survey demonstrates the critical importance of quality data in addressing equity, diversity and inclusion issues across the built environment sector. Without relevant data, organisations simply cannot identify, understand and address the real issues they face in their businesses and supply chains, and they cannot track the success of any initiatives put in place to make the workplace more inclusive and successful.” The Diversity Survey is set to reopen in March 2024, allowing anyone in the built environment to participate anonymously for free. Organisations also have the unique opportunity to enhance their understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and identify pathways for improvement. Valuable insights can be collected by assessing employee and/or supplier bases against sector benchmarks and ONS UK population statistics. This tailored analysis not only empowers organisations to assess their EDI status but also provides a roadmap for targeted improvements, fostering a more inclusive and diverse workplace. For details on participation, contact Max.Lajtha@actionsustainability.com. Access the complete Diversity Survey 2023 results here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A major event for the South West construction industry brought together 150 industry leaders and professionals to shine a light on major challenges facing the sector. Attendees gathered at the Future Skills Centre in Exeter for the Constructing Excellence South West Construction and Housing Summit and participated in an exclusive one-day event. In true Constructing Excellence South West (CESW) style the agenda was jam-packed. The day kickstarted with a speech from Chair of the Great South West, Karl Tucker, who highlighted the enterprise’s ambitions to lead and influence economic growth, job creation, and prosperity across Devon, Plymouth, Somerset, and Torbay. A series of panellists then took centre stage as attention turned to critical matters impacting the industry including ongoing environmental issues, leadership within construction, the supply chain and procurement processes, the Building Safety Act, housing challenges – namely planning permission, offsite and building regulations – as well as acquiring new skills. As a cross-sector, cross-supply chain member-led organisation, CESW has a keen focus on creating opportunities for like-minded professionals to work more collaboratively so a different approach was adopted for this year’s annual conference. Attendees were given the chance to discuss every topic with their peers and ask each panel a series of questions, completely transforming the summit into an engaging and collaborative open forum. Kevin Harris, CEO of Constructing Excellence South West, said: “It’s not often that so many people from across the South West Construction industry are together in one room, so we knew we needed to make the most of this opportunity. We switched up the format of the summit to make sure everyone could get involved in the discussions taking place throughout the day. “We’ve recorded everything that was mentioned during the summit and will be using these findings to create exclusive best practice content that will be shared more widely with our members. “The feedback we’ve received from those who attended has been incredible and I look forward to seeing what the next few months have in store as we continue to look at how we can bring the region together to continue sharing their knowledge, experience, and examples of best practice.” Charged with connecting industry professionals to shape the future of housing and construction practices, CESW is a member-led organisation that exists to produce a better-built environment. To find out more information about how you can get more involved, visit: https://constructingexcellencesw.org.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A host of new features, interactive demos, international pavilions from across the globe, and a charity Gumball Rally across the country have all been announced by the organisers of the UK’s largest event for the built environment, UK Construction Week (UKCW), which makes a welcome return to London’s ExCeL from 7-9 May 2024. The multi award-winning show will see the debut of a new Live Demo Theatre; Skills and Training Hub; a construction-specific Recruitment Zone; new C-Suite Summits; a ‘Gumball Rally’ which finishes at UKCW London; a host of international exhibitors housed in pavilions from India, China, Turkey, Italy, Spain, Germany and France. UKCW London is once again co-located with Concrete Expo and The Offsite Show, as well as the UK’s premier event for the self-build sector, Grand Designs Live. New features at UKCW London include: Sam Patel, UKCW event director, commented: “Construction is a fast-paced and evolving industry, and so our show needs to reflect that – hence the new areas which focus on skills, training and recruitment to address the skills gap which we all know has been affecting the sector for a number of years.” Registration for UKCW London is now live (and free) through the new-look website. The London show is complemented by its sister event, UKCW Birmingham, which takes place at the NEC from October 1-3. The NEC was the birthplace of UK Construction Week in 2015 and the trade show has grown to become the UK’s largest built environment event. Details on the Birmingham programme of events and speakers will be announced in due course, but exhibition space is already filling up – to enquire for your business, contact Info@ukconstructionweek.com To find out more about both shows and to register for UKCW London for free, visit https://ukcw-london-2024.reg.buzz/cab-pr Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new report published in partnership between McKinsey & Company and the World Economic Forum reveals that the construction sector’s carbon dioxide emissions – from building to real estate to infrastructure – can be reduced by up to 75% or 4 gigatons of carbon dioxide by 2050 through the establishment of a circular economy. The report has found that circularity also presents substantial economic advantages, with the potential to yield an annual net profit gain of up to $46 billion by 2030 and $360 billion by 2050. As the population grows and urbanization accelerates, 30 billion square meters of new buildings will need to be constructed in the next 40 years – similar to building the equivalent of New York City every 40 days. Most of this growth will occur in emerging markets including Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Creating a sustainable and resilient built environment is crucial for people’s well-being and to stay within safe planetary limits. “The construction sector is a crucial industry for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the long term,” says Sebastian Reiter, partner in the Munich office of McKinsey and co-author of the study. “One-third of material consumption and 26% of global carbon dioxide emissions come from this sector. At the same time, this sector employs 7% of people globally and accounts for 13% of economic output.” The report considers the potential for carbon dioxide abatement and potential net value gain for six key building materials: cement and concrete, steel, aluminium, plastics, glass and gypsum. Key findings include: · Circular loops could abate up to 4 gigatonnes of CO2 (Gt CO2) in 2050. · In 2030, recirculation of materials and minerals and CCS/CCU are each expected to contribute around 40% of total abatement. · Circularity in cement has the potential to create the highest value pool across materials, with an estimated net value gain of $10 billion in 2030 and $122 billion in 2050. In conclusion, Jukka Maksimainen, senior partner in the Helsinki office of McKinsey and co-author of the report notes: “Our analysis of the construction sector shows an extraordinary potential for circularity – not only through carbon dioxide savings but also on a financial level. Nevertheless, we see hardly any solutions in the market that address this issue at scale yet – this makes it even more essential that we identify scalable solutions and make them visible.” To download the report: Circularity in the Built Environment: Maximizing CO2 Abatement and Business Opportunities, please see here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
