German construction waste and cost reduction efforts

Research from Technische Universität Braunschweig has identified significant sources of waste in German high-rise construction. The study found that heating and cooling ceiling modules produced the highest waste levels, largely due to packaging, while dry-wall panels produced significant off-cuts. Researchers attributed these inefficiencies to excessive ordering, improper storage, and execution errors, recommending improved logistics and manufacturer take-back schemes.

Following these findings, the German Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building introduced a 13-point action plan aimed at reducing construction costs. A central element of this plan is the increased use of secondary raw materials to decrease reliance on global supply chains. While industry associations support the initiative, they noted that industry hesitation remains a primary obstacle to the widespread adoption of recycled materials.

Additionally, the ministry proposed a budget for the upcoming year that includes 7.51 billion euros in expenditures. This includes an increase in funding for social housing to 3.28 billion euros, alongside a projected decrease in housing allowance payments as part of federal budget restructuring.