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Chemistry and Circularity

Builders and their clients are often seeking to use materials that are repurposed from existing materials, contain recycled content, or are made to be more easily recyclable.

The buildings of the future will require new and innovative building materials. Builder and their clients are often seeking to use materials that are repurposed from existing materials, contain recycled content, or are made to be more easily recyclable.

ACC and its members support the pursuit of a more Circular Economy, one that prioritizes resource conservation and efficiency, design innovations that enable longer product lifespans, and reuse, recycling, and recovery technologies that allow us to capture the greatest value from materials that have traditionally been discarded.

Chemistry is the innovative foundation that allows manufacturers to design circular building products. The products of chemistry contribute to improved product durability, allowing materials and structures to achieve longer lifespans and reduce need for replacement, all while enhancing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Chemical companies are developing new technologies that enable product manufacturers to design for circularity:

  • Specialty chemical manufacturer Hexion developed EcoBind™ ultra-low-emission resins for binding wood products. With its ability to provide high tensile strength, durability and heat and water-resistance, these resins can help create engineered wood products for building applications that use more of the wood from trees, to create products that are stronger and more durable than wood alone.

design-for-circularity-card

Design for Circularity

Looking at a building as a material bank turns our typical building approach on its head.