Prefab construction produces much less waste than regular construction. In addition, the waste can be better separated, allowing for reuse. Building with wood modules also has a huge impact on reducing CO2 emissions: wood absorbs CO2. The possibility of dismantling also means that the residual value of used parts is much higher. The impact on the environment where construction takes place is also minimal.

Rock wool and hemp

Additionally, there is ongoing experimentation with innovative materials. RockZero Construction Systems show that building with rock wool is even possible. This innovative, sustainable, and circular method of prefab construction consists of load-bearing construction systems made of ROCKWOOL stone wool. Dan Agro manufactures facade, roof, and floor panels for the prefab industry. The company had the first fully hemp-made prefab house in 2018, the most sustainable prefab construction in the world. Zon’s house is 100% vapor-open and has high thermal insulation values. But especially, a hemp house absorbs CO2: at 120m2 it stores 14 tons. That is twice as much as a wooden frame house.

Reuse

Rebox applies another approach with the import of high-quality modular buildings from Scandinavia. Arie van der Neut: "We select from the stock of more than 30,000 modules the most suitable for reuse in the Netherlands, refurbish and transform them into high-quality homes that will last another 50 years. With this combination of modular and circular construction, we anticipate the future where labor and materials will become scarce and expensive."