The objective of the RETAKE project is to promote the transition of the construction sector towards a circular economy by developing take-back models that extend the lifecycle of building products and reduce energy consumption and the use of virgin natural resources. The project seeks economically viable solutions for companies that support sustainable construction and improve energy efficiency throughout the entire lifecycle of buildings.
Goal
"Why would you monetize your building product only once, if it’s designed to last for a long time?"
This is the core question addressed by the RETAKE project. The production of building components consumes a significant amount of energy—approximately 55% at the EU level. Additionally, the construction sector uses over 50% of the planet’s virgin natural resources. To reduce energy consumption and the waste of natural resources, the construction industry must adopt new practices and invest in circular economy solutions. When implemented wisely, circular economy can be a profitable business model for companies.
The goal is to identify economically viable and attractive solutions for companies that extend the lifecycle of building materials and products, which act as storage for embedded energy. The project aims to ensure that these solutions do not increase the operational energy consumption of buildings. Ideally, they will improve energy efficiency across the entire lifecycle. RETAKE explores the potential of take-back models for building materials as a means to achieve these goals.
A take-back model refers to a business model in which the company that sold the product also takes responsibility for its after-market phase. When a product is designed and manufactured to be durable, the company can take it back and, after maintenance or refurbishment, resell the same product. This allows the company to reduce production, save energy, and simultaneously increase revenue.
www page: https://projects.tuni.fi/retake-en/
Funding source
Contact persons
sanna.kujansuu [at] tuni.fi