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Circular building materials management model: Developing platform ecosystem in the Helsinki metropolitan area
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Kemian tekniikan korkeakoulu |
Master's thesis
Electronic archive copy is available via Aalto Thesis Database.
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Mcode
CHEM3056
Degree programme
Language
en
Pages
62+7
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Abstract
The construction industry is a significant contributor to environmental degradation and resource depletion, with its high consumption of finite virgin materials and substantial waste generation. The concepts of a Material and Component Bank (M&CB) and platform ecosystem are seen as effective strategies for managing material recycling and component reuse, thereby promoting sustainability in the industry.
Finland, a pioneer in the Circular Economy (CE), aspires to be a global leader in this field by 2035. Despite widespread awareness and participation in the CE, the adoption of CE in buildings remains slow, even with a regional M&CB established since 2018. The primary challenge identified in circulating materials and components is the mismatch between supply and demand for non-virgin products.
This thesis explores how a predeveloped platform ecosystem can further facilitate the management of CE building materials in the industry. Using the Helsinki Metropolitan Area as an example, it proposes a model to align supply with demand in an M&CB platform ecosystem by optimizing the structure and processes of the M&CB.
Through a literature review analysing system barriers to CE implementation in building projects, interviews on the regional platform Materiaalitori, a focus group analysing actor collaboration, and a case study of a Swedish platform, the thesis identifies key pillars for an M&CB platform ecosystem and develops a model.
The proposed model includes an extensive value proposition, a process for synchronizing information between supply and demand projects, and a database map that clarifies the flow between key actors. However, due to limited data collection, the model has not been validated with further research.
Future research could involve gathering opinions from a broader participant group, conducting workshops, or using real projects to validate and develop the model. There is also a need to delve deeper into each process in the model and find effective mechanisms accordingly, as the current model provides only a general framework.