A cooperation that could serve as a model for integrating recycling building materials into conventional construction processes: Austrotherm, Baumit, and construction company PORR are jointly testing new construction approaches with start-up ORBIS Development that aim to reconcile circular economy and economic viability. The pilot project aims to validate proven material combinations and process chains that can later be converted into standardized specifications.
The approach differs from previous sustainability initiatives through the involvement of a young company in the development work of established manufacturers. ORBIS Development contributes digital planning tools and data models for lifecycle analysis, while Austrotherm as insulation material specialist and Baumit as provider of facade renders and thermal insulation composite systems adapt their product portfolios for circular construction methods. PORR assumes technical implementation and provides practical data on processability and assembly efficiency.
For planners and product managers, it is particularly relevant whether the project can generate reliable EPD data (Environmental Product Declaration) that can be integrated into certification systems such as DGNB or LEED. The challenge lies in ensuring deconstruction capability and material purity already in the planning phase without significantly increasing construction costs. Especially for multi-layered systems such as WDVS with various adhesives, reinforcements, and renders, separate sorting at the end of life has so far been an open question.
The partnership follows a trend that is also emerging among other building material manufacturers: Collaboration with start-ups is being used to translate regulatory requirements for CO₂ reduction and circular economy into market-ready solutions more quickly. Similar cooperations such as that between Etex and Heidelberg Materials on fiber cement recycling show that industrial scaling only succeeds when material flows, logistics, and processing technologies are coordinated early on.
Whether the pilot project will deliver concrete product innovations or standardized process specifications remains to be seen. Measurable metrics will be decisive for broad impact: recycling rates in mass percentages, CO₂ savings per square meter of facade area according to DIN EN 15804, and additional costs compared to conventional systems. Only when this data is available can it be assessed whether circular construction methods can make the leap from the pilot phase to series application.
