DISRUPT - Delivering Innovative Steel ReUse ProjecT
Lead Participant:
THE ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE BUILDING PRODUCTS LIMITED
Abstract
_DISRUPT (Delivering Innovative Steel ReUse ProjecT) seeks to explore the innovative reuse of structural steel in construction and encourage the adoption of new circular economy business models that can help tackle the climate emergency._
_Steel is one of the most widely used and resource intensive materials used in construction. Although commonly recycled at end of life, the reuse of steel is minimal despite the apparent environmental, carbon and circular economy benefits. The high value of steel at end of life can be realised by being reused in a wide range of construction applications._
_Previous studies have shown that there are barriers to reuse including economic factors, supply chain issues, availability, and lack of demand. New business models are required to ensure that the benefits of steel reuse are accrued across the value chain and underpin the activities of existing and new actors._
_DISRUPT seeks to address these challenges by bringing together the leading actors involved in steel construction reuse - client, contractor, and stockist, and those that will be particularly impacted by the transition from a recycling to a reuse model, such as demolition contractors._
_A detailed feasibility study will be undertaken focusing on real life case studies which track the 'journey' of reused steel from start to finish, providing a rich data source covering different sizes and types of projects, and variability in geographical location across the UK._
_The project will deliver new costed circular business models that can act as a blueprint for other companies interested in entering the reuse sector, ultimately to achieve a greater supply of reuse steel into the marketplace. If steel reuse is to become mainstream, it is imperative that new business models are profitable and equitable to the whole value chain, and that reused steel is readily available and easy to specify within construction projects._
_DISRUPT aims to prove that steel reuse can have a major role to play in mitigating climate change._
_Steel is one of the most widely used and resource intensive materials used in construction. Although commonly recycled at end of life, the reuse of steel is minimal despite the apparent environmental, carbon and circular economy benefits. The high value of steel at end of life can be realised by being reused in a wide range of construction applications._
_Previous studies have shown that there are barriers to reuse including economic factors, supply chain issues, availability, and lack of demand. New business models are required to ensure that the benefits of steel reuse are accrued across the value chain and underpin the activities of existing and new actors._
_DISRUPT seeks to address these challenges by bringing together the leading actors involved in steel construction reuse - client, contractor, and stockist, and those that will be particularly impacted by the transition from a recycling to a reuse model, such as demolition contractors._
_A detailed feasibility study will be undertaken focusing on real life case studies which track the 'journey' of reused steel from start to finish, providing a rich data source covering different sizes and types of projects, and variability in geographical location across the UK._
_The project will deliver new costed circular business models that can act as a blueprint for other companies interested in entering the reuse sector, ultimately to achieve a greater supply of reuse steel into the marketplace. If steel reuse is to become mainstream, it is imperative that new business models are profitable and equitable to the whole value chain, and that reused steel is readily available and easy to specify within construction projects._
_DISRUPT aims to prove that steel reuse can have a major role to play in mitigating climate change._
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
| THE ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE BUILDING PRODUCTS LIMITED | £48,487 | £ 33,941 |
Participant |
||
| CLEVELAND STEEL & TUBES LIMITED | £28,966 | £ 20,276 |
| INNOVATE UK | ||
| NATIONAL FEDERATION OF DEMOLITION CONTRACTORS LIMITED(THE) | £6,388 | |
| ISG LIMITED | £5,276 | |
| INNOVATE UK |
People |
ORCID iD |
| Richard Broad (Project Manager) |