The construction industry is under increasing pressure to operate more sustainably and drastically reduce its carbon footprint. Madaster offers a practical solution for circular construction by registering and documenting materials and products in the built environment on their online platform. "Buildings thus become resource depots" explains Jeroen Broersma, Managing Director Madaster Netherlands. Registering materials and products gives them an identity and makes their value transparent. This prevents them from ending up in the ever-growing mountain of waste. This way smart design is stimulated and reuse is simplified.
Insight as key to circularity
Madaster acts as a catalyst for circularity in construction by providing data and insight into the composition and reusability of materials and products in buildings. Through the platform, users can import information from BIM systems or Excel files, after which Madaster accurately calculates the material impact. This data is processed into a materials passport, which not only provides insight into composition, CO₂ emissions and detachability, but also the economic value of raw materials. Buildings no longer need to be depreciated to zero at the end of their useful life; the value of the materials that can be reused or recycled determines the financial residual value.
"With up-to-date and detailed information, stakeholders can make informed choices, which lowers the threshold for circular construction," Broersma said. The platform thus provides the construction industry with concrete tools to use materials and products smartly and extend the life of buildings. Understanding material, circular and financial value helps owners make informed decisions at every stage of a building's life, from design to dismantling. Realizing circular ambitions thus becomes much easier.
Sustainable design from the beginning
A sustainable foundation begins at the design stage, and Madaster is well aware of that. By registering the design of a building in the Madaster platform, architects and builders gain immediate insight into its environmental impact. "By making the right choices early on, buildings can be designed that retain their value," Broersma explains. The materials passport clearly visualizes the life cycle of materials and products and promotes the possibility of disassembly and reuse, strengthening the circular chain.
"A building designed for reuse retains a higher residual value, which is not only financially attractive, but also significantly lowers its environmental impact," Broersma said.
Easier compliance with laws and regulations
The transition to circular construction is driven not only by sustainable ambitions, but also by new regulations. With the Madaster platform, companies can more easily comply with legislation such as the EU Taxonomy and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Madaster also provides support for certifications such as BREEAM and the MIA subsidy, making circular construction projects more financially attractive. MPG calculations also suddenly become a lot simpler. "We see that thanks to the insights and reports in our platform, companies can comply with complex rules and guidelines in one go," says Broersma.
Transparency in the value chain and future savings
One of the biggest obstacles in circular construction is the lack of transparency in the materials value chain. Materials used today lose their value when their reusability is not recognized. Madaster helps overcome this challenge by making value transparent. "When the value of materials is known, circular choices become more logical and feasible, even if the initial costs are sometimes higher," Broersma states. The data and tools on the platform make the value and potential of reuse visible, making it easier for companies to make strategic decisions and save long-term costs.
The future of circular building
Madaster envisions a future where circular buildings become the norm. Reliable data will form the basis for every design, and information on material impact will become an integral part of the decision-making process in construction. "Based on developments in the market, laws and regulations, and feedback from our customers, we continue to develop our platform by . We believe it is important to provide the construction industry with the tools they need to make data-driven, sustainable choices," Broersma explains. With this vision, Madaster is not only working on technology, but building a new future where materials and products remain infinitely available.
By transforming buildings into valuable resource depots, Madaster is helping the construction industry take steps toward a sustainable future. Their commitment to innovation and collaboration shows that the circular transition is not a distant future, but a concrete reality - if we deploy the right tools and knowledge.
Visit DigiBouw!
Jeroen Broersma is hosting the plenary session '𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘄𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝗶𝗷 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿' on Thursday, Nov. 21 at DigiBouw at 12:00 p.m. at Jaarbeurs Utrecht. This is the event for professionals from the design, construction and engineering sector (the OBT sector) on new technologies and digitalization.
There are 50 inspiring knowledge sessions from top speakers and executives in the construction industry. One of these zooms in on circular construction. Madaster provides within this theme on Thursda y Nov. 21 at 4:15 p.m. in Dome 2, the knowledge session "Madaster: the key to circular construction. In this session, Robin Lindhout, together with fellow Madaster experts, will dive in, deeper into how the platform works and shows the concrete benefits for designers, builders, owners and managers of real estate and infrastructure.
For personal conversations, a Madaster Office Hour has been scheduled on Thursday, Nov. 21, at booth C030 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., where Madaster will be the guest of DigiC and Building Virtuality. Make an appointment now with Robin Lindhout(robin.lindhout@madaster.com) to be assured of a personal interview with a Madaster expert.
