Material circularity in the UK’s foundation industries

Natanael Bolson; Masoud Ahmadinia; Rossi Setchi; Sam Evans; Jonathan Cullen

doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108728

Material circularity in the UK’s foundation industries

Natanael Bolson^*
, Masoud Ahmadinia
, Rossi Setchi
, Sam Evans
, Jonathan Cullen^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Mechanical Engineering

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

As the UK advances toward its 2050 net-zero target, moving beyond energy efficiency to comprehensive resource management is essential. This study evaluates how circular economy principles can reshape the use of aluminium, lead, steel, glass, and paper in the UK’s foundation industries. Using a circularity index, we assess current performance and identify improvement pathways, quantifying the potential of enhanced recycling and material reuse. Results show that circularity strategies alone could reduce emissions by 42% and energy use by 17%, with reductions rising to 69% and 56% respectively, when combined with best-practice energy intensities. While aluminium and steel offer the largest gains, barriers remain for lead, glass, and paper due to technical and quality constraints. These findings highlight the opportunities and the complexities of industrial circularity, providing evidence to guide policymakers and industry leaders in accelerating the transition to a more sustainable and resource-efficient economy.

Original language	English
Article number	108728
Number of pages	10
Journal	Resources, Conservation and Recycling
Volume	227
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108728
Publication status	Published - 3 Dec 2025

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108728Licence: Creative Commons: Attribution (CC BY)

BolsonN2025MaterialFinal published version, 2.06 MBLicence: Creative Commons: Attribution (CC BY)

Cite this

@article{dd983a4a21ac4106a4da9ecd7563f758,

title = "Material circularity in the UK{\textquoteright}s foundation industries",

abstract = "As the UK advances toward its 2050 net-zero target, moving beyond energy efficiency to comprehensive resource management is essential. This study evaluates how circular economy principles can reshape the use of aluminium, lead, steel, glass, and paper in the UK{\textquoteright}s foundation industries. Using a circularity index, we assess current performance and identify improvement pathways, quantifying the potential of enhanced recycling and material reuse. Results show that circularity strategies alone could reduce emissions by 42\% and energy use by 17\%, with reductions rising to 69\% and 56\% respectively, when combined with best-practice energy intensities. While aluminium and steel offer the largest gains, barriers remain for lead, glass, and paper due to technical and quality constraints. These findings highlight the opportunities and the complexities of industrial circularity, providing evidence to guide policymakers and industry leaders in accelerating the transition to a more sustainable and resource-efficient economy.",

author = "Natanael Bolson and Masoud Ahmadinia and Rossi Setchi and Sam Evans and Jonathan Cullen",

year = "2025",

month = dec,

day = "3",

doi = "10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108728",

language = "English",

volume = "227",

journal = "Resources, Conservation and Recycling",

issn = "0921-3449",

publisher = "Elsevier",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Material circularity in the UK’s foundation industries

AU - Bolson, Natanael

AU - Ahmadinia, Masoud

AU - Setchi, Rossi

AU - Evans, Sam

AU - Cullen, Jonathan

PY - 2025/12/3

Y1 - 2025/12/3

N2 - As the UK advances toward its 2050 net-zero target, moving beyond energy efficiency to comprehensive resource management is essential. This study evaluates how circular economy principles can reshape the use of aluminium, lead, steel, glass, and paper in the UK’s foundation industries. Using a circularity index, we assess current performance and identify improvement pathways, quantifying the potential of enhanced recycling and material reuse. Results show that circularity strategies alone could reduce emissions by 42% and energy use by 17%, with reductions rising to 69% and 56% respectively, when combined with best-practice energy intensities. While aluminium and steel offer the largest gains, barriers remain for lead, glass, and paper due to technical and quality constraints. These findings highlight the opportunities and the complexities of industrial circularity, providing evidence to guide policymakers and industry leaders in accelerating the transition to a more sustainable and resource-efficient economy.

AB - As the UK advances toward its 2050 net-zero target, moving beyond energy efficiency to comprehensive resource management is essential. This study evaluates how circular economy principles can reshape the use of aluminium, lead, steel, glass, and paper in the UK’s foundation industries. Using a circularity index, we assess current performance and identify improvement pathways, quantifying the potential of enhanced recycling and material reuse. Results show that circularity strategies alone could reduce emissions by 42% and energy use by 17%, with reductions rising to 69% and 56% respectively, when combined with best-practice energy intensities. While aluminium and steel offer the largest gains, barriers remain for lead, glass, and paper due to technical and quality constraints. These findings highlight the opportunities and the complexities of industrial circularity, providing evidence to guide policymakers and industry leaders in accelerating the transition to a more sustainable and resource-efficient economy.

U2 - 10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108728

DO - 10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108728

M3 - Article

SN - 0921-3449

VL - 227

JO - Resources, Conservation and Recycling

JF - Resources, Conservation and Recycling

M1 - 108728

ER -

Material circularity in the UK’s foundation industries

Abstract

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Cite this