EDA webinar: Successful steel re-use ‘needs supply chain coordination’

By Steve Ducker07 February 2023

The reuse of steel provides both opportunities and challenges to Europe’s demolition companies’ circular economy ambitions – but its successful implementation needs a coordinated approach.

Carlos del Castillo Carlos del Castillo. (Photo: EDA/ECCS)

That is the view of Carlos del Castillo, a project manager in the Belgium-based European Convention for Constructional Steelwork (ECCS), who was addressing a European Demolition Association (EDA) webinar on the subject.

“The circular economy is one of two main pillars in sustainable construction,” said Carlos.

“They are no waste generation and energy efficiency.

“But only 50% of construction and demolition waste is recycled. Most recycling is actually downcycling or backfilling.”

Carlos said that addressing these gaps could lead to increased revenue for demolition companies, but it would take around a year to create a legal framework related to steel reuse in new buildings. He added that BIM (Building Information Modelling) digital passports would ease the process in the future, along with simple, clear and direct procedures for pre-demolition audits.

“Steel is feasible for reuse,” he told the online audience.

“The problem is not lack of technology, it is that there is no established practice. We are basing the contribution of the demolition industry based on what we think companies can do but we are not sure.

“We must think about what is possible and work on that with in collaboration with the EDA. Collaboration along the supply chain is essential, and we need to create a common specification in which all stakeholders are included.”

MAGAZINE
NEWSLETTER
Delivered directly to your inbox, Demolition & Recycling International Newsletter features the pick of the breaking news stories, product launches, show reports and more from KHL's world-class editorial team.
Latest News
Global construction equipment sales for 2022 revealed
Off-Highway Research reveals sales of global construction equipment in 2022 and looks ahead to potential sales in 2023 
Latest research: Equipment sales in Europe set to remain high
Analyst Off-Highway Research reports near-record numbers of units sold in 2022
Kobelco aims for big performance from new small machines
OEM introduces next generation to its range of mini excavators
CONNECT WITH THE TEAM
Steve Ducker Editor, Demolition & Recycling International Tel: +44(0) 1892 786 210 E-mail: steve.ducker@khl.com
Simon Kelly Sales Manager Tel: +44 (0) 1892 786 223 E-mail: simon.kelly@khl.com
CONNECT WITH SOCIAL MEDIA