Building/Material resource passport

The construction sector accounts for around 50% of material resource consumption and 55% of the waste generated in Germany. At the same time, raw materials are becoming increasingly scarce, and the CO2 emissions associated with the production of new materials are often higher than when recycled materials are used.

The future lies in closed material cycles and a fundamental rethink regarding resource usage. The goal is to reduce the use of building materials before reusing or recycling them, or even disposing of them, which would result in the loss of these resources.

Building materials should be given an identity: It must be clear which materials are used in which buildings. This transparency transforms cities into the urban mines of the future and lays the foundation for an effective circular economy.

The building resource passport with the goal of “transparency” for a sustainable future

The building resource passport concept is similar to the energy performance certificate and aims to create the necessary transparency to optimize resource usage during renovation, demolition, or urban mining – This passport serves as the foundation for a consistent circular economy.

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen (DGNB) has developed a comprehensive building resource passport based on existing approaches such as Concular, Madaster or the Circularity Design Toolkit. It comprises six overarching areas with 25 sub-aspects and a total of 256 parameters that consider the building, layer, and component levels. It provides information on building parameters such as the materials used, the origin of the materials, construction and demolition waste, CO2 emissions over a lifecycle of 50 years, flexibility of the building structure, disassembly capability, material recycling potential and circularity. In addition, information is also provided on documentation.

Benefits for the construction industry, its stakeholders and future generations

For building owners, the building resource passport offers transparency regarding the materials used and their environmental impact. It provides a basis for reducing costs in the long term through clever material selection and reuse, and for increasing the property's value retention. Built-in materials are the capital of the future.

Architects benefit from clear information about material properties and origin, which helps them to plan sustainable and flexible structures. The passport also supports compliance with legal requirements and identifies materials that are particularly suitable for sustainable and future-oriented buildings.

The resource passport creates efficiency and clarity for processors of building materials. By using materials that can be easily dismantled, separated and reused or recycled, they not only strengthen their company's market position but also contribute to sustainability.

Fural Metalit Dipling Brünsch provides all the necessary information based on the DGNB building resource passport and supplies it with every delivery of goods. This ensures that all parties involved have complete transparency and information regarding the installed metal ceilings and walls.

Using the resource passport signifies a commitment to responsibility – those who use it actively participate in the transition to a circular economy in which resources are conserved and waste is minimized. The consequences of decisions made in the construction industry become tangible, fostering a sustainable future where buildings serve not only as living spaces but also as valuable material banks.

Not yet assessable: fire protection and expanded metal systems, profiles or purchased parts (mineral wool, etc.)

Further information from the DGNB: DGNB building resource-passport, DGNB circularity indices