Circular Construction: Building a Sustainable Future

Reuse C&D Materials to Reduce CO2

Circular construction aims to replace existing take-make-waste systems with a circular system that designs out waste and pollution, keeps products and materials in use, and regenerates natural systems. Circular construction places value on waste as a commodity by decoupling economic activity from finite resources.1  Think of buildings as “material depots” from which new buildings can harvest and reuse materials.

The construction and demolition industry generates large amounts of waste and creates excessive CO2 emissions. Generally, demolition projects contribute significantly more waste than new construction projects. Demolition represents more than 90 percent of total construction and demolition debris generation, while construction represents less than 10 percent.2

Renovation and reuse projects save between 50 and 75 percent of the embodied carbon emissions compared to constructing a new building.

What Is Circular Construction?

Circular construction is a sustainable building approach based on the principles of the circular economy. Many rainscreen cladding manufacturers are repurposing products to be partially recyclable or to reduce CO2 emissions in the production process. Steni Composite Stone and Petrarch Composite Stone rainscreen cladding panels are sustainably made and have a proven history of low CO2 emissions, reuse, and green building production practices.

Omnis Panels Are Reusable and Reduce Carbon Emissions

Steni Composite Stone Panels

Low carbon footprint

Rainscreen façade panels from Steni have a low carbon footprint, producing 14–17 kg of CO2/m². Steni façade panels can be delivered to public waste treatment facilities at the end of their useful life. Steni waste is “inert” and has no impact on the external environment. All Steni panels have a life-cycle analysis and an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).

Waste Management

Steni façade panels are packaged using wood, paper, and recyclable plastic. Steni sorts all waste internally in accordance with the Grønt Ansvar (Green Responsibility). Grønt Ansvar is a comprehensive program for documented and systematic waste management.

The packaging can be easily sorted at the construction site. Offcuts / left-over panels can be delivered as general waste for standard waste collection.

No Environmentally Harmful Substances

EU: None of STENI AS products contain substances on the REACH list.

Nordics: None of STENI ’s products contain substances on the REACH list, on the Norwegian priority list, the Sunda Hus priority list, or the Nordic Ecolabel Appendix6.

Long Lifetime Calculation

The Life Cost Calculation (LCC) (NS 3454:2013) indicates the product’s resource consumption over time. Products from Steni have a low LCC. Steni engineered stone rainscreen panels have been reused/upcycled in renovating aging buildings. A long lifetime and low resource consumption make Steni panels an environmentally sound choice.

Pre-cut format Reduces Waste

Steni’s continuous production process allows you to choose from a wide range of standard formats, with a width of up to 1,195 mm and a length of up to 3,495 mm. This means that there is very little waste. Steni develops customized solutions with customers.

60-year warranty

Steni engineered stone rainscreen panels have an unmatched 60-year warranty. That means minimal building maintenance – just simple cleaning – lowering lifetime costs.

Petrarch Composite Stone Panels

Low-Emitting Materials, Adhesives and Sealants

Petrarch Composite Stone rainscreen panels content 0 g/l VOC at install. VOC content at manufacture site 6%.

Construction Material Waste

Petrarch Composite Stone rainscreen panels can be ordered cut to size at the factory thereby reducing or eliminating field cuts and waste at the construction site. Petrarch panels are shipped using a minimum amount of packaging material, primarily recycled cardboard and wood for a palletized base (2” X 4” wood studs and OSB plywood panels.)

These materials used for packaging are also common construction materials that can frequently be at the job site or by others.

Low-Emitting Materials, Adhesives and Sealants

The volatile organic content (VOC) of the cured panels is 0% at the time of installation.

Materials Reuse: 5% or 10%

Petrarch Composite Stone Rainscreen Panels can potentially be reused due to the extensive life of the panels and the ability to cut on-site. Petrarch panels can be salvaged or reused in new construction or the renovation of a building. Applications for reuse can be exterior and interior wall panels or decorative accent panels made with composite material.

Low Impact Cleaning and Maintenance

Petrarch composite stone panels contribute favorably to this strategy as they are extremely abuse-resistant, maintenance-free, and intended for life-of-the-building service. Petrarch panels can be cleaned with soap and water, and do not require any special cleaning supplies.

50-Year Industry-Leading Warranty

Petrarch composite stone rainscreen panels have a 50-year warranty with little change in physical properties. Petrarch panels are waterproof, easy to clean, highly resistant to impact, and have a Class A fire rating. They are composed of 52-55% of reconstituted natural stone, thus offering the appearance and texture of natural slate or stone in a large panel format that promotes sustainability. Exposure to the extremes of weather conditions and temperature on actual installations has proven the durability of the panels.

ForMe Design Woodgrain Aluminum Cladding

Low Carbon Footprint

The aluminum industry is actively working to reduce its carbon impact. Over the past 30 years, the North American aluminum industry has reduced energy consumption by 55% since 1998.

Environmental Sustainability

ForMe cladding and battens are made of 100% extruded aluminum making it recyclable and a sustainable material with an endless life cycle.

Materials Reuse

Nearly 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today.

Industry-Leading Warranty

ForMe Design cladding and battens come with a 15-year warranty on finishes coated in its production plants.

Looking to implement circular construction principles in your next project? Contact our team to learn how we can help you build smarter, more sustainably, and with future value in mind.