Stacey Olson’s Post

“In 2025, we’ll see a rise in advanced materials like carbon-capturing concrete, recycled plastics and bio-based materials that minimize environmental impact,”

Sometimes I look at our concrete mixer drums and think: "This used to be someone’s trash." Literally. Our drums are made from recycled polyethylene powder—waste that might have otherwise been discarded. Instead, it’s now durable, lightweight, and better than traditional metal drums. What fascinates me isn’t just the engineering but the story behind it. Taking something unwanted and turning it into something invaluable feels poetic. It’s a small step, but one that reminds me sustainability doesn’t have to be flashy; it can be practical, even humble. In an industry like construction, where environmental impact is hard to ignore, I’m proud we’re doing our part—proof that even waste can build something better. #Sustainability #Innovation #CircularEconomy #ConstructionThoughts #Plasticconcretemixer

Carbon Capture in Concrete: A Sustainable Innovation Engineers at Northwestern University have developed a groundbreaking process to store carbon dioxide (CO2) in concrete without compromising its strength. By using a carbonated water-based solution during the manufacturing process, this new method sequesters up to 45% of CO2, helping to reduce emissions from the cement and concrete industries, which account for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This innovative approach not only captures significant amounts of CO2 but also maintains the structural integrity of concrete, making it suitable for all standard applications. This breakthrough in CO2 storage technology holds promise for a more sustainable future. With the ability to transform concrete into a "carbon sink," this method could revolutionize the construction industry by integrating carbon capture into one of the world's most consumed materials. The success of this process highlights the potential for similar sustainable innovations in other high-emission industries, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.

𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 by World Steel Association (worldsteel) Steel - the permanent material in the circular economy. The circular economy is a move from #linear business models, in which products are manufactured from #rawmaterials and then #discarded at the end of their useful lives, to #circular #businessmodels, where intelligent design leads to #products or their parts being #reused, #remanufactured and #recycled. The #concept of #circulareconomy drives optimal resource #efficiency. It makes sure that #resources are allocated to #products and #services in such a way as to enable a sustainable future for everyone. All steel products need to be designed #efficiently and to be #durable, easy to #reuse and #remanufacture, and ultimately #recycled. For #society, the #benefits of a circular economy include durable #products, local #jobs, reduced #emissions, and the conservation of raw materials for future generations. 🔴 #Reduce Decreasing the amount of #material, #energy, #waste and other #resources used to create #steel and reducing the #weight of steel used in products. Integrating the concept of doing more with less. ➡️ Reduce in steel applications ➡️ Reduce during steel production ➡️ Reduce through material efficiency 🔴 #Reuse Reuse is using an object or material again, either for its original purpose or for a similar purpose, without significantly altering the physical form of the object or material. ➡️ Reuse in steel applications ➡️ Reuse in buildings 🔴 #Remanufacture Remanufacturing is the standardised industrial process of restoring used steel-containing products to as-new. ➡️Remanufacture of steel-containing products 🔴 #Recycle Melting steel scrap from products at the end of their useful life to create new steels. Recycling alters the physical form of the steel object so that a new application can be reated from the recycled material while maintaining the inherent properties of the original steel. ➡️ Steel recycling: Attributes and benefits The article link is below: https://lnkd.in/eM4NEkG2

𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗣𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 by European Commission, Joint Research Centre (#JRC) The construction sector plays a vital role in the #economy and is the second largest #industrial #ecosystem in the #EU. However, it is important to acknowledge that #construction has a significant impact on the #environment, consuming up to half of all newly extracted #materials and being responsible for over 1/3 of the EU's #wastegeneration, making it the largest single #source of #waste. Thus, construction is one of the priority areas in the Circular Economy Action Plan (European Commission, 2020), which aims to facilitate the #transition from a #linear to a #circularmodel. To move towards a more circular model, it is important to retain more value in the entire construction #supplychain, from entire #buildings down to materials, and to find #innovative ways to make them more #environmentally friendly. Additionally, the transition towards a circular model should encompass the entire #sector, and #stakeholders should collaborate to undertake the transition. This #report emphasizes the #importance of #standardisation in promoting circular construction and the #circulareconomy. It discusses the need for future standardisation and pre-normative research for circular construction in #terminology, #metrology, #performance #characterisation, #compatibility and #operability #assessments. Four #strategic #areas could benefit from #standardisation: ♻ frameworks and indicators to measure circularity, ♻ quality assurance of reused and recycled material, end-of-waste criteria, ♻ design for circularity, adaptability and disassembly, and 🏘 building information. The #report also highlights the need for clear #objectives, focused #standards, #cost-effectiveness, common future #scenarios, #resource #indicators, and practical implementation aspects to advance #circularity in the #construction #industry. Andreas Jenet, Marco Lamperti Tornaghi, Georgios Tsionis, Amanda Smidstrup Sejersen, Philippe Moseley, Arturo de la Fuente, Malgorzata Wrobel, Gilli Hobbs, Kasper Guldager Jensen, Catherine Chevauché, Michael Levy, Philippe Osset, Steve Denton, Lisbeth M. Ottosen, Janet Lynch, Martha Lewis, Manfred Fuchs, Livia Mian, Philip Maurer, Fabio Taucer. The download link of the report is here:: https://lnkd.in/emxwuumX

Happy to announce the publication of a new open access book titled: Circular Economy Design and Management in the Built Environment. This extensive research was elaborated by COST action CA 21103. 💪 Oliver Hechler, Jie YANG and myself contributed to the chapters dealing with 'Circular Manufacturing' and 'Recovery and Reuse of salvaged Products and Building Materials from existing Structures'. Have a look if you're curious about CE in construction! As you can imagine steel sheet piling has several benefits in terms of the 10R framework, which are also described :) - Circular Manufacturing: https://lnkd.in/ewkmWe24 🏗️ - Recovery and Reuse of salvaged Products and Building Materials from existing Structures: https://lnkd.in/ensxUAXy 🔁

🔍 Calling All Researchers: Let’s Build a Greener Future in Construction! 🌿🏗️ The construction industry is ripe for innovation, and sustainable materials are leading the charge toward a low-carbon future. As we face growing climate challenges, now is the time for researchers to dive deeper into materials that can reshape how we build and live. Here are some top sustainable materials that are making waves in 2024: 🌱 Bamboo: This fast-growing renewable material boasts a high strength-to-weight ratio, making it ideal for structural frameworks and flooring. How can we further optimize its properties for broader applications? 🔄 Recycled Steel: Using recycled steel reduces energy consumption by up to 75% compared to new steel production. Researchers can explore ways to improve recycling processes and the integration of recycled steel into more complex structures. 🧱 Hempcrete: As a carbon-negative material, hempcrete absorbs CO₂ throughout its life cycle. There’s potential to enhance its durability and application in more varied climates—an opportunity for material scientists! 🌳 Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT): This innovative wood product combines renewability with structural strength, offering a sustainable alternative to concrete and steel. Can we develop advanced coatings to improve its fire resistance and longevity? 🍄 Mycelium-Based Materials: Mycelium is not just for packaging anymore—it’s a lightweight, biodegradable material perfect for insulation. Researchers could unlock new ways to scale up production and test its resilience in different environments. The future of sustainable construction relies on advanced research and innovative thinking. Let’s explore, experiment, and push the boundaries of what’s possible with these eco-friendly materials! 🌍💡 #SustainableConstruction #GreenBuilding #ResearchOpportunities #InnovationInMaterials #SustainableDevelopment #FutureOfConstruction #EcoFriendlyMaterials #ClimateAction

💡 Innovation: The Key to a Sustainable Future in the Construction Industry The construction industry in the Netherlands is one of the largest and most significant sectors, with an annual turnover of €100 billion. In such a vital and ever-evolving industry, innovation is not an option; it is a necessity. At Polywood Greentech, we believe waste is not merely a challenge—it’s an endless opportunity to create value. That’s why we are committed to revolutionizing the design and production of profiles used in building concrete molds by leveraging wood-plastic composites. These products are not only eco-friendly but also have the potential to reduce costs and enhance efficiency within the construction industry. Our vision is clear: ✅ Introducing sustainable innovations to the construction industry ✅ Reducing waste through smart utilization of recycled materials ✅ Creating added value for an industry that plays a critical role in the Dutch and global economy We are at the beginning of an exciting journey and would love to hear your thoughts and experiences along the way. What are your thoughts on the future of recycled materials in the construction industry? We look forward to your valuable insights! #Innovation #ConstructionIndustry #Recycling #PolywoodGreentech #WoodPlasticComposite #Sustainability #ConcreteMolds #Netherlands #concreteformworks #wpc

Plastics are a twentieth-century development that revolutionized the ways that humans lived. Made from hydrocarbons, these materials were flexible, versatile and long-lasting. And because the disposal of the materials was never included in their price, they were incredibly cheap. Now microplastics can be found everywhere in the world from the tallest mountain to the deepest ocean and are impacting our air, water and food supply. Here is a short article on how we can take the long-lasting quality of plastics, which can take 500 years to fully decompose, and use them where that longevity is a benefit rather than a detriment: https://lnkd.in/ezmJ-RNE Thank you for reading, liking, commenting and sharing this post, if you find it to be interesting or informative. #PlasticInArchitecture #GreatPacificGarbagePatch #BuildSustainably #LiveSustainably

Geoplast Ireland contact J. G. Kelly Supplies Ltd. SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION INNOVATION Geoplast S.p.A. is a global provider of sustainable construction solutions that exclusively avoids virgin materials and is focused on using only recycled plastic to reduce carbon footprint, fuel use, and energy use in construction and real estate. Despite the presence of innovative companies like ours, the construction industry remains entrenched in outdated, polluting, and non-sustainable methods. The need for change is urgent, as sustainable construction solutions have existed for decades but are constantly rejected in favor of old, entrenched methods. Another big block for sustainable construction are solutions that are too complex and not available globally. Construction is a global phenomenon. Solutions need to be simple, easy to use, safe, affordable, and available everywhere. One example is recycled plastic formwork we invented in 2005, almost two decades ago. Although they are an obvious next step, they are still far from being an industry standard. Innovation and change are not only about a great idea. They are more about adopting — objectively selecting the best solution for the job. What are your thoughts on this? #innovation #construction #sustainability #technology #recycleplastics #sustainableconstruction #future #geoplast