The construction industry uses significant amounts of resources and is one of the largest producers of greenhouse gases. For that reason alone, social development aimed at sustainability is inconceivable without essential contributions from the construction industry. bauma 2025 will provide an overview of the diverse approaches in the construction machinery world for sustainable construction. The world’s leading trade fair for construction machinery, building material plants, mining machines, construction vehicles and equipment will be held from April 7 to 13 at the Munich exhibition center.

Serial construction saves resources
When it comes to saving resources, serial construction is one of the most promising levers. “It uses raw and other materials more efficiently than with conventional construction methods, as prefabrication can be carried out in a controlled industrial environment,” explains Stephan Oehme, Consultant Mining & Minerals, Construction Equipment and Plant Engineering at the German Engineering Federation (VDMA). According to him, material waste can thus be reduced in several ways: Production waste and scrap materials generated at the factory can be better recycled. It is also easier to dismantle the buildings at the end of their useful life and to reuse their materials.

3D printing with secondary raw materials and biobased materials
As a further opportunity to protect natural resources, greater use can be made of recycled materials for 3D printing of buildings. The industry is also carrying out research on biobased materials for additive manufacturing. In any case, demand basically seems to be there: According to a study by the market research company Exactitude Consultancy, the global market for 3D printing mortar is expected to grow from around USD 3.5 billion in 2024 to around USD 13.8 billion in 2034.

High recycling rate for mineral construction waste
Of the around 208 million tons of mineral construction waste generated in Germany in 2022, over 90 percent was recycled, according to the Kreislaufwirtschaft Bau initiative. “The idea of recycling is now deeply etched in the DNA of the construction industry, as demonstrated not least by the many extremely practical solutions,” comments Oehme.

Electric drives for a wide range of applications
Sustainable construction also includes the goal of decarbonization to the maximum possible extent. Contributing to that are the alternative drives for mobile construction machinery, which will also be a separate key topic again at bauma in 2025.