Katarina Malaga

Forskningsrådgivare

Tel

+46 10 516 68 62

Email

katarina.malaga@ri.se

Location

Göteborg

ORCID

0000-0001-9867-7631

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Publications

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Reuse of prefabricated concrete elements, logistics and business model

Prefabricated concrete elements, such as HDF boards, slab foundations, columns and sandwich walls, are common materials for frame structures in Sweden. Reuse of concrete frames is considered to have great potential, but is a major…

Webinar: The Right Concrete in the Right Place

Many construction projects use stronger concrete than the structure actually requires, and this has a greater environmental impact than necessary. Join us for a lunchtime webinar where we’ll show how simple changes in material sel…

How can the construction sector turn climate ambitions into action?

Ambitious climate goals in the construction and real estate sector are not just about regulation—they can also serve as a powerful driver of innovation. But what does it actually take to turn climate ambition into action? And what…

How the construction sector is driving sustainable transition – insights from Forum Samhällsbyggnad

How do we move from ambitious goals to real change in society, at the pace required? When industry stakeholders gathered in Gothenburg, two things became clear: the transition is no longer a matter for the future; it is happening …

“Like putting together a puzzle” – how we enable reuse right from the planning stage

Although reuse is often highlighted as an obvious part of sustainable construction, there are several challenges that affect how building components and materials can be utilized. The issue is not just about technology, regulation…

“Reuse must become the norm in the construction industry”

The construction sector has a lot to gain from reclaiming materials - especially load-bearing structures such as concrete frames, which often have a long lifespan after demolition. Despite the great climate potential, development …

Indian cement industry transforms with Swedish innovations

India is the world's second largest producer of cement – which means high greenhouse gas emissions. In a bilateral collaboration, Swedish companies are now developing new solutions to help the Indian industry make the transition. …

Recycled concrete builds cities of the future

Producing concrete has become a major source of global CO2 emissions. Simultaneously, 70 percent of the world's population is expected to live in cities by 2050. The growing need for infrastructure and housing means that the use o…

How concrete can become a carbon sink

Today’s production of concrete and cement generates large emissions of carbon dioxide. One way to reduce the climate impact of cement is to take advantage of the material’s natural ability to capture carbon dioxide through carbona…

We are building the future now!

COLUMN: Concrete is discussed in many forums today. But few know what concrete really is, what we use it for, and why research into alternative binders for concrete is so important. Katarina Malaga is a professor of sustainable co…

Building climate-neutral with concrete

All industries have submitted to the Swedish government their roadmaps to become fossil fuel-free. Roadmaps have also been submitted by the cement and concrete industries, which are today major sources of emissions both globally a…

Broad collaboration for a sustainable concrete industry

Sustainable social development requires sustainable, robust and functional building materials with a long lifespan and a minimal carbon footprint. In the Vinnova-funded project BETCRETE, RISE has brought together a broad consortiu…

Forum Samhällsbyggnad 2026: Sustainable Construction – From Regulations to Real Change

Forum Samhällsbyggnad: Sustainable Construction Shone a Spotlight on Real Change: How Do We Move from Policy, Regulations, and Climate Goals to Implementation, Innovation, and Tangible Results? Forum Samhällsbyggnad 2026 was held …

Case study: Reuse of hollow concrete slabs from Ikea Kållered

When the old Ikea store in Kållered outside Gothenburg was demolished, a unique opportunity arose to test the large-scale reuse of prestressed concrete elements. In close collaboration between RISE, NCC, and Framtiden Byggutveckli…

Betcrete 2.0

Here you can find a summary project description for Betcrete 2.0.

Financial strategies and solutions

Green bonds have been discussed as a financing alternative for investments in sustainable conversion.

Models for efficient and predictable condition tests

Today's protracted processes delay the extraction of raw materials, recycling and utilisation of residual materials, as well as the conversion to circular flows. 

Social license adapted for accelerated climate-neutral change

Sustainable change requires societal acceptance, support and legitimacy for the sector's potential and value-creating activities, as well as for the critical investments the industry is facing in order to achieve the UN's climate …

Policy, regulations and standardisation

BETCRETE 3.0 monitors the most important standard methods and rules for the implementation of alternative binders in concrete. 

Alternative binders

Cement accounts for the largest climate impact of concrete use. Reducing cement use without compromising the quality of the concrete is desirable for the entire construction industry.

Circular economy and recycling

We want to see construction waste as a raw material of approved quality.

Optimisation of concrete recipes

In comparison with other countries, Sweden uses significantly more cement in its concrete products. 

Efficient resource utilization and sustainability indicators

KPIs, ie industry-wide sustainability indicators to measure, monitor and communicate progress, will be central to the BETCRETE 3.0 project.

Carbon dioxide sinks

Concrete can react chemically with CO2 and form CaCO3 as a stable compound. Calculations of natural carbonation should be included in "Climate declarations"  in order to get the holistic view on the effect of concrete on nega…

Betcrete 3.0 - Focus areas

The BETCRETE 3.0 project revolves around a number of important focus areas.

News from Betcrete

Find the latest news from Betcrete 2.0

Partners

Betcrete 3.0 has built a strong consortium that includes a number of the leading players in the field.

Betcrete 3.0 - About us

Betcrete 3.0 is a project with funding from Vinnova, Sweden’s innovation agency.  

The Association for Concrete-friends

The Association for Concrete-friends at RISE gathers industrial and public authority members in a forum for discussion about most actual subjects within material and construction areas. The purpose of the association is to creat…

Publications

See all DIVA publications