ÅF Pöyry contributes to circular use of materials

On behalf of the Swedish Aggregates Producer Association (SBMI), ÅF Pöyry will develop a decision-making tool and environmental risk assessment for recycling of secondary materials in the construction industry. The project is funded by the Swedish Construction Industry’s Organisation for Research and Development (SBUF).

There is a need for a generally applicable tool for environmental risk assessment within the construction industry. Increased recycling can entail both substantial environmental gains and significant business opportunities. Martijn van Praagh, Head of R&D within Environment at ÅF Pöyry, is the project manager on ÅF Pöyry’s side.

“It is important that we create circular material flows and in order to do this we need to take potential environmental and health risks into account, as well as adapt the assessment tools to the construction and the place where the material will be recycled. We will, of course, apply the available and accepted models provided by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency for risk assessment of contaminated land as far as possible. In addition, we will suggest different cautionary methods to ensure recycling with as small potential risks as possible,” says Martijn van Praagh.

ÅF Pöyry’s part of the project runs until the end of this year, with the option of an extension in the spring. Other representatives in the project include Swerock, Skanska, NCC, Svevia, Veidekke, Jehander and about 30 other companies and organisations.

“In comparison with some of our Nordic neighbouring countries, and most other European countries, Sweden is significantly worse at recycling, for example, aggregate and concrete. This is partly because we lack clear and uniform guidelines for how to assess the environmental risk in a scientific way. We have now joined forces to change this,” says Carl Zide, Project Manager.

“It has been very simple to engage the member companies of SBMI in this project. For SBMI’s members, it is about creating opportunities for circular material flows where we recycle more and take less at landfills. Improved recycling opportunities in the industry lead to both great environmental benefits as well as significant business opportunities,” says Mårten Sohlman, CEO at Swedish Aggregates Producer Association (SBMI).

Corporate Communication
ÅF Pöyry AB (publ)

For further information, please contact:

Cathrine Sandegren, EVP and Head of Communications and Brand
+46 70 292 68 26

ÅF Pöyry is a leading international engineering, design and consultancy company. We create solutions for our clients from a sustainability perspective and based on global trends such as urbanisation and digitalisation. We bring together over 16,000 dedicated experts in the fields of infrastructure, industry and energy, all of whom work globally to create sustainable solutions for future generations.

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