Accelerating Circularity in Construction Logistics by Utilizing and Developing Digital Platforms

Sammanfattning

The construction industry is facing increasing pressure from climate regulations,which are expected to become even stricter in the future. This has in turn led toan increased interest in circularity as a tool to meet future demands. Constructionlogistics has shown potential to bring positive synergies in addressing many challenges faced by the industry, including circularity. Additionally, the digital maturityof the industry is relatively low, presenting challenges to new initiatives. This thesisinvestigates the interface between digitalization, circularity, and construction logistics, exploring how Digital Logistics Platforms (DLPs) can contribute to enablingcircular material flows. Previous research in this area is limited, making this thesisa valuable contribution and a potential starting point for future research. The aimof this study is to help practitioners in the construction industry better understandthe current state of circularity and identify how they can utilize digital tools, such asDLPs, to improve their circular performance. An abductive research approach wasemployed, combining a literature review with an extensive interview study involving30 interviews across 29 organizations representing a diverse range of actors in theSwedish construction industry. The findings reveal that while it is seen as an increasingly important trend, achieving large-scale circularity remains a challenge. Materialproducers and property owners are highlighted for their capacity and potential todrive large-scale initiatives. Collaboration between actors is defined as crucial, asindividual companies often struggle to drive circular initiatives on their own. Thisthesis presents a framework differentiating the term circularity into three differenttypes. The framework can be used by practitioners across the construction industryto identify both their own role and potential in circular initiatives but also whichactors and competences they need to collaborate with to succeed. The landscapeof DLPs available on the Swedish market is mapped, identifying three categoriesof platforms: multifunctional DLPs, calendar specialized DLPs, and niche DLPs.These platforms have the potential to enable circular material flows by providing integrated services and digital functions. However, this requires greater transparencyand digitalization of material inventories across the industry. The development ofDLPs can position them as a crucial enabler for circular practices in construction,serving as the mortar to the bricks in the interface between digital and practicalactivities. Ultimately, the findings of this thesis can help actors across the Swedishconstruction industry identify their role within circular initiatives. Once this is realized, the mapping and investigation of DLPs can be used to understand whichdigital tools are applicable to further drive circularity.