JR200
Much of the difficulty lies in inconsistent local practices, limited infrastructure for separation, and uncertainty around contamination. Without a coordinated system for certifying clean fibre cement waste, confidence in end-of-life routes remains low. Circularity is more than just recycling leftover materials or
diverting end of life waste from landfill. Instead, it embodies a fundamental change in mindset where systems are designed for adaptability, longevity, and disassembly at end of life. The challenge is that much of the UK’s supply chains are built around single-use products that do not easily lend themselves to reuse.
Design optimisation Despite progress in material design, waste at project level remains commonplace, where poor planning and over-ordering lead to material losses on site. Across the sector, contractors, architects, and suppliers are exploring the benefits of improved layout optimisation for panel design and production to minimise waste. EQUITONE’s Design & Optimisation Service supports this shift. On average, 340 projects per year use this service across Europe, helping to avoid around 30,781m2 surplus material and 364 t kg CO2 embodied carbon. To put that into perspective: This equals the average yearly CO2 absorption of 29,100 beech trees. Circularity also starts with the design and development of our materials. We’re dedicating 50% of our R&D capacity to sustainability: developing products and solutions with a lower environmental impact and increased circular content that is guided by eco design principles. Today we already have up to 20% circular content in our EQUITONE materials which is just a start towards more circular products without compromising on their performance. EQUITONE fibre cement panels are a strong example of how design and performance go hand in hand with sustainability. They use fewer raw materials per m² compared to classic construction and are lightweight resulting in fewer emissions during transportation. They are also engineered to facilitate disassembly, removal and reuse, while also offering a 50-60-year service life.
The push for sustainability Circularity is becoming central to regulatory frameworks and market expectations. As the London Plan introduces mandatory circular economy plans for large developments, and regulations such as the Future Homes Standard demand up to an 80% reduction in operational carbon, the imperative to build with circular principles is clearer than ever. As the sector faces growing reporting obligations, transparency is critical. To make responsible choices contractors require third-party verified data to prove that products meet current sustainability requirements. The provision of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) is a fundamental step to minimise the carbon cost of materials.
Barriers to circularity Despite growing momentum, to many, the barriers to adopting circular principles feel daunting. The sector is built on long- established practices, fragmented supply chains, and products that were never designed with reuse in mind.
End-of-life challenges Circular thinking starts at the design phase with manufacturers right the way through to material segregation and waste tracking to establish reliable reuse pathways. Currently, fibre cement waste disposal options mainly include landfilling or low value downcycling options. EQUITONE is investigating how to transform fibre cement waste into a high- value raw material for up-cycling within a circular economy.
Setting the standard With certified EPDs, circular content declarations and verified technical data, manufacturers can give contractors and specifiers confidence in their decisions, supporting carbon reduction and resource efficiency throughout a project’s lifecycle. And with meaningful collaboration across the supply chain, and throughout the life cycle of a building, we can turn circular ambitions into everyday practice.
(1) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, UK statistics on Waste, July 2025
(2) CIOB, Climate Change and Sustainability
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
