Review on the potential to circulate wood-based materials in the building sector

The construction industry is considered a resource-intensive industry. Buildings and infrastructure account for half of all extracted materials, almost half of the final energy consumption, as well as about one-third of greenhouse gas emissions and waste flows at the European Union level and worldwi...

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Main Authors: Sironen Susanna, Iliescu Oana, Niknafs Pardis, Amiri Ali, Rohdin Patrik
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2025-01-01
Series:Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1088/2634-4505/ade002
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author Sironen Susanna
Iliescu Oana
Niknafs Pardis
Amiri Ali
Rohdin Patrik
author_facet Sironen Susanna
Iliescu Oana
Niknafs Pardis
Amiri Ali
Rohdin Patrik
author_sort Sironen Susanna
collection DOAJ
description The construction industry is considered a resource-intensive industry. Buildings and infrastructure account for half of all extracted materials, almost half of the final energy consumption, as well as about one-third of greenhouse gas emissions and waste flows at the European Union level and worldwide. Therefore, it is necessary to move towards a circular model of material use. This study focuses on wood as one of the key resources with numerous reuse and recycling opportunities along its value chain. The aim of the study is to analyse existing literature and determine the reuse opportunities for recycled wood-based materials from the construction sector. In this literature review, we analysed 137 academic articles published between 2010 and 2023 on the potential to recycle and reuse wood-based materials in the construction industry, the environmental and economic benefits, as well as drivers and barriers of this model. Firstly, the results show a growth of papers with a more holistic perspective on the subject throughout the studied period, indicating a growing emphasis on resource efficiency and circular practices. Secondly, results also indicate the gradual change in the recycling and reuse of wood-based materials practices over time, from energy generation to more value-adding and long-lasting products. However, the literature lacks more precise information on the targeted reuse of recycled materials and the economic benefits, indicating that further research is needed in this area.
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spelling doaj-art-bb5f3a7c64564ec1b1d3a35b2b9687ad2025-08-20T02:37:32ZengIOP PublishingEnvironmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability2634-45052025-01-015303200110.1088/2634-4505/ade002Review on the potential to circulate wood-based materials in the building sectorSironen Susanna0https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0290-9389Iliescu Oana1https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8305-9680Niknafs Pardis2Amiri Ali3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9476-8007Rohdin Patrik4https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8410-7259Finnish Environment Institute , Metla-building, Yliopistokatu 6 B, FI-80100 Joensuu, FinlandAalto University , PO Box 11000, FI-00076 Aalto, FinlandLinköping University , SE-581 83 Linköping, SwedenAalto University , PO Box 11000, FI-00076 Aalto, FinlandLinköping University , SE-581 83 Linköping, SwedenThe construction industry is considered a resource-intensive industry. Buildings and infrastructure account for half of all extracted materials, almost half of the final energy consumption, as well as about one-third of greenhouse gas emissions and waste flows at the European Union level and worldwide. Therefore, it is necessary to move towards a circular model of material use. This study focuses on wood as one of the key resources with numerous reuse and recycling opportunities along its value chain. The aim of the study is to analyse existing literature and determine the reuse opportunities for recycled wood-based materials from the construction sector. In this literature review, we analysed 137 academic articles published between 2010 and 2023 on the potential to recycle and reuse wood-based materials in the construction industry, the environmental and economic benefits, as well as drivers and barriers of this model. Firstly, the results show a growth of papers with a more holistic perspective on the subject throughout the studied period, indicating a growing emphasis on resource efficiency and circular practices. Secondly, results also indicate the gradual change in the recycling and reuse of wood-based materials practices over time, from energy generation to more value-adding and long-lasting products. However, the literature lacks more precise information on the targeted reuse of recycled materials and the economic benefits, indicating that further research is needed in this area.https://doi.org/10.1088/2634-4505/ade002wood buildingswood constructionwood wasterecyclingreusecircular economy
spellingShingle Sironen Susanna
Iliescu Oana
Niknafs Pardis
Amiri Ali
Rohdin Patrik
Review on the potential to circulate wood-based materials in the building sector
Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability
wood buildings
wood construction
wood waste
recycling
reuse
circular economy
title Review on the potential to circulate wood-based materials in the building sector
title_full Review on the potential to circulate wood-based materials in the building sector
title_fullStr Review on the potential to circulate wood-based materials in the building sector
title_full_unstemmed Review on the potential to circulate wood-based materials in the building sector
title_short Review on the potential to circulate wood-based materials in the building sector
title_sort review on the potential to circulate wood based materials in the building sector
topic wood buildings
wood construction
wood waste
recycling
reuse
circular economy
url https://doi.org/10.1088/2634-4505/ade002
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AT amiriali reviewonthepotentialtocirculatewoodbasedmaterialsinthebuildingsector
AT rohdinpatrik reviewonthepotentialtocirculatewoodbasedmaterialsinthebuildingsector