The construction industry is one of the world’s biggest emitters of CO2. Of all materials used in construction, 10% are unnecessary or are wasted, and 30% of all construction work is spent fixing errors. Also, 90% of all large construction projects overrun in terms of time or cost. Why is that the case? One of the most important reasons is the urgent need to catch up in terms of digitalization. The Nemetschek Group is driving innovation with their software solutions, combining it with investments in entrepreneurship and young, successful startups.
Driving Innovation within the Construction industry
Even in the planning and construction process, efficiency and sustainability could – and must – be significantly increased through comprehensive digitalization. Fortunately, a rethink is currently taking place among many stakeholders in the construction lifecycle – driven by an innovative, disruptive start-up industry that is providing countless creative ideas for more sustainable construction. The number of startups in the construction industry developing digital solutions to better connect machines, building materials, and people is growing steadily. In addition to know-how and entrepreneurship, these young entrepreneurs bring one crucial quality to the table: the power of persuasion to inspire the rather traditional, conservative, and fragmented construction industry to embrace their solutions. For example, Madaster, based in the Netherlands and Berlin, managed in a very short time to win 33 well-known German companies as supporters for its new online materials register. With Madaster, every registered building receives a so-called material passport, on which the amount of material, reuse potential, material value and the current residual raw material value are shown. This is a highly recent issue; for instance, the German government is planning the introduction of a digital building resource passport. This is also intended to promote a circular economy in the building sector. Madaster has its finger on the pulse here.
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