Recycling: how does modular construction affect the environment?

Steel-framed modular construction, with its recyclability of steel, offers a unique opportunity for clients who care about the future and wish to take advantage of KPO and European funds to make investments in a way that is both environmentally friendly and efficient. In this article, we look at how steel recycling in modular construction affects the environment.

Modular construction and steel recycling: The perfect combination

Every second tonne of steel in the world comes from scrap, thanks to a perfectly organised recycling system. Close cooperation between recyclers and steelmakers makes it possible to reuse around 400 million tonnes of scrap metal each year. This approach is crucial for sustainability and environmental protection.

Steel is widely used in modular construction due to its hardness, flexibility and ease of processing. Its unique ability to be recycled without losing properties makes it a key material in green building strategies. Approximately 70% of steel is recycled after about 20 years of use.

Modular construction introduces significant innovations in minimising carbon emissions. By using prefabrication under controlled factory conditions and reducing material transport, it significantly reduces the carbon footprint of construction projects.

Climatic uses the advantages of steel, including its recyclability, to create sustainable, environmentally friendly structures. The flexibility of the modules and the possibility of their future relocation or adaptation (conversion) for a new function further emphasises the sustainable nature of this method.

Low carbon footprint and environmental benefits:

Preservation of natural resources: The use of secondary raw materials reduces the need to exploit natural resources.
Energy savings: Steel recycling requires significantly less energy than primary production, which translates into overall energy efficiency.
Environmental protection: The recycling process reduces atmospheric emissions. Processing 1 tonne of scrap steel saves 1.5 tonnes of ore and 0.5 tonnes of coke.
Reducing production costs: The efficiency of steel recycling translates into lower production costs, which is both economically and environmentally beneficial.

Key environmental aspects of steel-framed modular construction:

Material Efficiency: Steel, as a construction material, is very efficient and strong, allowing for optimised material use. Steel can also be fully recycled, reducing its overall carbon footprint.
Production and Assembly: modular construction allows for a controlled and efficient production process in the factory, which reduces waste and CO2 emissions. On-site assembly is fast and accurate, further reducing the carbon footprint.
Transport: Although transporting the finished modules to the site generates emissions, this is usually less intensive than the continuous transport of materials for traditional construction.
Low Energy Demand: Modular buildings are designed for high energy efficiency, resulting in lower CO2 emissions during use.
Point Foundations: The use of point foundations in modular construction reduces the need for concrete by up to 80%, significantly reducing the carbon footprint associated with foundation work.

Modular steel technology as the key to green investments

Climaitc's building system allows projects to be implemented quickly and seamlessly, while ensuring compliance with KPO requirements and ESG standards.

The use of recycled steel in modular construction not only minimises the carbon footprint and conserves natural resources, but also fits into the framework of sustainability, underlining investors' commitment to protecting our environment for future generations.