Circularity and sustainability in the construction value chain

Abstract

<p>This paper debates how circularity can contribute to value creation in the construction value chain. In traditional linear business models, value is often limited to financial value for the firm and customers. Here, value is seen more broadly considering a wider range of stakeholders, such as value chain partners, the environment, and the society. Findings from relevant literature and recent research projects are brought to transform linear cradle to grave processes to sustainable cradle to cradle ones. Circularity can contribute to sustainability in many ways: material recovery from existing buildings and reusing, recycling or even upcycling them into new ones and design for disassembly that eases reuse and value retention. Findings indicate that circular economy has significant potential to create and maintain value in the construction value chain. Most of the decisions that affect value creation are done in the design stage, but it is strongly linked to the other stages and affected by business models, circularity platforms, and external influencers such as financing, client's requirements, regulations and incentives.</p>