Page 6 - Open Access December - 2025

POINT OF VIEW

recycling in terms of embodied carbon, additional impacts 9.3 Reused steel + low-carbon binders
from recovery logistics can occasionally offset these benefits,
illustrating that context-specific assessment is essential. CirCrete, as demonstrated by Nwonu et al. (2025) [29] , shows
that integrating reused steel reinforcement and low-carbon
On the other hand, in a complementary study, Nwonu et al. cementitious binders into concrete refurbishment projects
(2025) [29] proposed CirCrete, a multi-criteria decision support can substantially reduce embodied carbon. Within the scoring
framework for end-of-life management of concrete structures. framework, such strategies improve Embodied Energy and
The framework integrates refurbishment, remanufacture, and Toxicity scores, meaning that components previously destined
recycling scenarios, and evaluates them against environmental, for recycling could meet thresholds for reuse if other criteria,
economic, and resource efficiency indicators. Case applications such as disassembly and market value, are also favourable.
demonstrated that refurbishment could deliver embodied
carbon savings exceeding 60 % alongside significant cost 9.4 Quality protocols for recycled aggregates
reductions compared to new construction. By providing a
The case studies underscore the importance of robust quality
structured methodology for assessing reuse and recycling
assessment for secondary materials. Both the lightweight infill
pathways, CirCrete offers practical insights into how concrete
the most widely used construction material globally, including in walls and CirCrete frameworks highlight that systematic testing
and certification- such as grading, contamination checks, or
India can be managed more sustainably at the end of its service adherence to standards like EN 12620 allow practitioners to
life. Comparative results from CirCrete further show that reuse
confidently reuse recycled aggregates. In the scoring system,
is most advantageous when transport distances and recovery
this raises reusability and market value scores, increasing the
efforts are low, whereas recycling or remanufacture may be likelihood that materials are retained in higher-value circular
preferable if logistics or processing requirements are high. pathways.

9.2 Design-for-disassembly in concrete
9.5 Risks (Chlorides / ASR) and NDT for reuse
Drawing from Kitayama et al. (2024) [28] , the study of lightweight screening
exterior infill walls in a UK school highlights how prefabrication,
panelisation, and reversible connections enable easier Both case studies demonstrate that durability risks, including
dismantling and reuse. These design-for-deconstruction chloride ingress or alkali-silica reaction, can limit the suitability
measures increase the practical reusability and disassembly ease of concrete for reuse. Non-destructive testing (NDT) provides
scores in the decision-support tool, illustrating how modest a practical screening mechanism to identify compromised
elements. In the operational tool, materials failing these checks
design adjustments can shift a material’s pathway from recycling
receive lower reusability or toxicity scores, directing them toward
or downcycling toward reuse, while delivering notable carbon
savings at both component and building scales. recycling or downcycling, while safe elements can confidently
follow reuse pathways.

10. ENABLING CIRCULAR CONSTRUCTION

The successful implementation of circular economy principles
in construction hinges not only on the availability of reusable
materials, but also on the presence of information infrastructure
and accountability mechanisms that ensure traceability,
transparency, and responsibility throughout the lifecycle of
materials. In this context, three emerging concepts, namely
material passport, material custodian, and scope 3 emissions,
are pivotal to advancing cradle-to-cradle resource utilisation.

10.1 Material passports

A Material Passport (MP) is a structured digital document that
consolidates information about the characteristics, composition,
Figure 2: Reusing lightweight exterior infill walls as a way to reduce and circularity potential of materials used in buildings. These
carbon. Source: Kitayama et al. (2024) [28] passports provide stakeholders with critical data about material

12 THE INDIAN CONCRETE JOURNAL | DECEMBER 2025