REBUS project (2020–2023). Final report

• Published in: SINTEF Fag 2024
• Main Authors: Fufa, Selamawit Mamo, Knoth, Katrin, Plesser, Thale Sofie Wester, Fjellheim, Kristin, Vandervaeren, Camille, Kallaos, James, Hauge, Åshild Lappegard, Brown, Marin Kristine, Sunde, Olav, Seilskjær, Erlend, Larsen, Bente Iren, Zimmermann, Regitze Kjær, Birgisdottir, Harpa, Andersson, Johanna
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Subjects: Guideline; National survey Interview; Network strategy; Reuse; Sustainability assessment framework

REBUS project vision and objectives: The research project REBUS – REuse of Building materials – a USer perspective started in 2020 with a vision of developing a knowledge platform to enable the wider and more efficient implementation of reusable building materials. REBUS aimed to address the main barriers to reuse in the construction sector using research-based approach by identifying the need of different user groups (WP1), develop methods for assessing the technical performance (WP2) and sustainability of reuse products (WP3), and practical knowledge exchange from actual pilots (WP4) and use of network strategies (WP5). Basic facts about REBUS: The REBUS project was an interdisciplinary collaboration between SINTEF, Inland Norway University of Applied Science, FutureBuilt, Resirqel, and Boligbygg Oslo KF from Norway, Department of the Built Environment at Aalborg university in Denmark (BUILD), and IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute. The project was financed by the Research Council of Norway under the program Miljøforsk (grant number 302754), and in-kind contributions of industry partners, who provided their expertise and resources. Main activities and results: The project started by screening the reuse potential of more than 50 construction product groups. This was done through input from experts from SINTEF as well as discussions in a series of workshops with REBUS partners (WP1). From this assess-ment, five construction products were chosen to be considered in REBUS: paving stone, doors and windows, glass partition wall, ventilation components, and sanitary equipment. To get more practical knowledge, the technical, environmental, and economic performance of reused paving stone was evaluated through laboratory testing, life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) studies (WP2). A reuse guideline was then developed for the remaining four products (doors and windows, glass partition walls, ventilation components and sanitary equipment) giving advice to consultants, developers, and contractors on how to assess and document the properties of reusable building materials (WP2). To understand the challenges, motivations, and potential measures for driving different user groups to reuse building materials in Norway, a national survey (WP1 & WP5) was conducted. In addition, semi-structured interviews (WP1 & WP4) were conducted with various actors in the building industry to identify practical challenges, barriers, and success factors relate