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
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 rainscreen panels content 0 g/l VOC at install. VOC content at manufacture site 6%.
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.
The volatile organic content (VOC) of the cured panels is 0% at the time of installation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
ForMe cladding and battens are made of 100% extruded aluminum making it recyclable and a sustainable material with an endless life cycle.
Nearly 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today.
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.
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