Material stocks in Germany's non-domestic buildings: a new quantification method

TLDR

The building sector consumes large amounts of resources and generates significant construction and demolition waste, and its stock can be viewed as a repository of natural resources, yet data on non‑domestic buildings remain scarce. The study aims to provide evidence on the quantity and dynamics of Germany’s non‑domestic building stock. A three‑step method calculates material composition indicators, disaggregates total floor space, and derives total material stock, and can be adapted for other countries. The method yields material composition indicators, floor‑space estimates, and a total material mass of approximately 6.8 billion tonnes for non‑domestic buildings—44 % of the national stock—offering insights for policy makers and the construction industry toward a circular economy.

Abstract

The building sector consumes large quantities of resources and generates high levels of construction and demolition (C&D) waste. From an 'urban mining' perspective, the building stock can be seen as a repository of natural resources. In order to manage this repository, evidence is needed on its quantity and dynamics. Although data exist for domestic buildings, little evidence exists for non-domestic buildings. A new method is presented to quantify the material stock of non-domestic buildings – based on the German building stock. The quantification process involves three steps: (1) material composition indicators (MCIs) are calculated with respect to various building types; (2) the country's total floor space is estimated and disaggregated; and (3) the total material stock is calculated. The main results are MCIs and the floor space for both domestic and non-domestic stocks, as well as the material mass in total. In Germany the total material mass of non-domestic buildings is approximately 6.8 billion tonnes, accounting for 44% of the entire building stock. The method can be adapted and validated for use in other countries. These results will assist both policy-makers and the construction industry to understand the potential for moving toward a more circular economy.