Sustainable use of post-demolition concrete as recycled aggregates and cement substitute: Recycling potential in Germany

Concrete relies heavily on cement as a binder, is versatile and has impressive structural properties.
Given the significant carbon emissions of cement, the construction industry should strive to minimise
or replace its use in concrete. For this, post-demolition concrete can be used as an aggregate substitute
and cement substitute. In 2021, Germany’s concrete production peaked at 206 million tons, demonstrating the immense potential to reduce negative environmental impacts by recycling concrete waste.
To cut emissions, a circular economy for concrete is essential. Analysis of production data since 1950,
the lifetime of concrete structures and waste concrete statistics in Germany will estimate how many
tonnes of recycled concrete can replace conventional concrete. Today, approx. 29% of the production
nowadays of concrete could be implemented with post-demolition concrete. Reducing primary cement
and increasing aggregate substitutes are pivotal for future sustainable concrete production.