Today, a joint letter of intent has been signed, which marks the start of a long-term collaboration on a circular materials hub in Uppsala and Stockholm.
A new market for circular material flows
The aim is to create a functioning market for reused building materials – with solutions that include both physical hubs and digital platforms. Through joint efforts, the parties want to make it easier to inventory, dismantle, distribute and reuse building materials.
"We see a great need to create structures that make reuse both attractive and practically feasible. That is why it is so important that several players are now joining forces," says Robert Carlsson, sustainability specialist at Castellum, one of the initiators.
The initiative originated from Uppsala klimatprotokoll and the construction recycling working group, which since 2023 has been working to create the conditions for an active reuse market in Uppsala and the surrounding area.
The role of property owners: from residual product to resource
It is clear from the letter of intent that the role of property owners is crucial – not only as suppliers of recycled materials, but also as buyers. The goal is for reuse to take place both internally within the company's own property portfolio and externally in the market.
Creating a sustainable market requires a balance between supply and demand. The materials covered in the first stage include, among others:
- Textile carpets
- Ceiling tiles (edge A)
- Interior doors (dB 35)
- Cabinet Frames
- Glass sections
- Steel doors
- Stone material
"By coordinating our flows and sharing experiences, we can maximize the benefit of the material that would otherwise become waste," says Linda Karlsson, Sustainability Manager Projects at Akademiska Hus.
"As property owners, we have a great responsibility – not only for the buildings we develop, but also for how resources are used throughout their life cycle. By prioritising reuse, we can both reduce climate impact and create new business opportunities," says Jonas Wahlström, Project Manager at Vasakronan.
Next steps: from intention to action
In the coming months, the parties will begin the concrete work of establishing the joint material hub. The establishment takes place in stages and is coordinated through a steering group, where each participant contributes with their specific expertise in, for example, logistics, property management, circular processes and business development.
It is through the shared responsibility – and the willingness to share resources, networks and insights – that the initiative gains the power to become something more than an idea. It is about creating a functioning structure for reuse, where each actor is a key player in the transition.
"To succeed with a circular transition, we need both systematics and courage. It is only when we dare to challenge ingrained ways of working and collaborate across traditional boundaries that real change becomes possible," says Kübra Ayata Bodur, Environmental Specialist at Alecta Fastigheter.
An innovation centre for reuse
As part of the initiative, an innovation centre linked to the materials hub will also be established, where materials specialists will be available. Here, property owners, architects, project managers and other actors can meet experts in different material categories – from stone, kitchens, textile flooring to glass sections and suspended ceilings.
The innovation centre functions both as a physical place for viewing and advice, and as an engine for the development of new ways of working. Here, recycled material will be able to be displayed in an updated condition, after e.g. reconditioning or reconstruction, to show its potential and quality in new contexts.
The aim is to lower the thresholds for reuse through knowledge, inspiration and practical examples – and thus increase demand and confidence in recycled materials in construction projects.
A direction for the entire industry
The joint declaration of intent is not the end goal – it is the start of a movement. The ambition is to change the way we look at materials, project planning and sustainability in the construction industry. Through collaboration, transparency and long-term commitment, reuse can become the new normal.
"It's not just about reusing materials – it's about rebuilding approaches, routines and business models based on circularity," says Magnus Rödin, reuse manager at Wiklunds.