A circular concrete chain has been established in Leeuwarden. Concrete from the demolition of 72 flats in the Heechterp district is being reused to build new homes in the same area. This process involves demolishing, converting concrete into granulate, and producing new concrete locally, reducing CO₂ emissions and raw material usage. The initiative is a collaboration between Elkien, the Municipality of Leeuwarden, and several construction and demolition companies, showcasing a scalable and sustainable approach to circular construction. This case showcases a unique example of a collaboration involving actors across all points of the concrete value chain to create a true closed loop concrete cycle in Leeuwarden.

The case addresses two major challenges: the significant CO₂ emissions generated by concrete production and the increasing global demand for raw materials. Traditional construction methods rely on producing new concrete, which is energy-intensive and produces a significant amount of GHG emissions (around 8% of global emissions in 2022). Construction and demolition waste is one one the largest waste streams in the EU and has significant potential for material recovery, however is often discarded rather than reused. Targeting high emissions stemming from concrete production and reusing construction and demolition waste could have a significant impact.

The project in Heechterp offers a circular approach to concrete use. Concrete from demolished buildings is processed locally into granulate, which is then used to produce new concrete for constructing homes in the same district. This closed-loop system minimizes CO₂ emissions, reduces the need for new raw materials, and limits transportation, significantly reducing the negative environmental impacts caused by linear construction processes. Leeuwarden’s closed loop concrete chain sets an example of circular construction practices that could be broadly scaled and applied elsewhere.

The establishment of the first circular concrete chain in Leeuwarden successfully demonstrated the feasibility of reusing demolition materials in local construction projects. By closing the concrete loop within the municipality, the initiative put in place measures to reduce CO₂ emissions, minimise the need for new raw materials, and decrease construction related transportation impacts. This project set a precedent for circular urban redevelopment, proving that circular construction practices can be both environmentally and economically viable, and could inspire other municipalities to adopt similar approaches.