The construction sector accounts for one-fifth of Sweden's climate impact, and concrete production accounts for six per cent of the world's total carbon dioxide emissions. At the same time, construction must increase to meet society's needs. To solve this impossible equation, the industry needs to both reduce emissions from new production and increase the reuse of existing structures. Concrete elements often have many years of life left when demolished, but currently lack quality assurance and standards for reuse.
RISE is driving the transition to climate-neutral concrete. We develop standards for reuse and alternative materials, certify products for CE marking, and verify solutions in our large-scale 3D printing environment. From material development and life cycle analysis to finished structures, we help the industry realise tomorrow's sustainable solutions.
Quality, safety, and sustainability are fundamental to every construction project. At RISE, we offer advanced analysis and testing of cement and concrete, covering everything from chemical composition to strength and long-term performance.
Test methods for alternative binders for early cracking
In civil engineering and infrastructure projects, structures with a high risk of early cracking are common. Assessment of the risk of cracking, which forms the basis for any measures to be taken, is a requirement under Anläggnings AMA (the Swedish Civil E
Technology infrastructures for concrete and cement
In the Nordic region's first large-scale 3D printing environment for concrete, you can develop and verify prototypes and new design solutions. As an accredited laboratory since the 1940s and a notified body for CE marking, we test materials and products in accordance with international standards.
When damage occurs or is suspected in properties and facilities, it is essential to understand the cause, scope and consequences. RISE offers qualified damage investigations, condition assessments and status inspections of buildings and infrastructure, from individual components to complex systems, supporting decision-making in both technical and legal contexts.
Deficiencies and faults in buildings and infrastructure can lead to increased costs, safety risks, legal issues, and reduced service life. RISE assists property owners, contractors, and insurance companies in understanding damage and preventing future problems through independent damage investigations and condition assessments of both buildings and facilities — from individual components to complex systems. We combine technical expertise with independent analysis to provide reliable support for disputes, insurance claims, and renovation projects.
What we investigate
RISE’s expertise spans the entire construction sector and brings together skills from several specialist fields: building physics, timber engineering, infrastructure, piping and networks, as well as concrete. We work both reactively on acute damage cases and proactively through preventive investigations and risk assessments.
Among others, we investigate:
Piping systems, sprinkler systems and district heating networks
Concrete structures such as swimming pools and parking garages
Balconies, façades, windows and doors
Water mains in the ground and within buildings
Timber constructions and timber-based building products
Indoor environment, moisture and building physics
Moisture damage
Fire damage
Corrosion damage
Review of construction documents and acting as technical advisor in disputes
Our services
For more information, please contact us through this page or proceed to one of our service areas:
We combine site visits with advanced testing and analysis. Our methods include:
Initial dialogue with the client and possibly other parties
Visual inspection, examination and damage mapping
Sampling and laboratory analysis
Non-destructive and destructive testing
Reporting with conclusions, assessments and recommendations as well as proposed measures
Third-party review of documentation and reports
Our clients
Legal practitioners
Housing associations and co-operatives
Contractors and developers
Property owners and property managers
Insurance companies
Operators and owners of infrastructure and network systems
Why choose RISE?
RISE is an independent research institute with broad technical competence and long experience in damage investigations. We are often engaged as an independent party in disputes, and our reports are used as decision-making support in both technical and legal contexts. Our strength lies in combining scientific methodology with practical understanding of building and infrastructure systems, whether it concerns concrete, timber, moisture or the indoor environment.
Contact us
If you have questions or would like to take the next step, please feel free to contact us.
Quality, safety, and sustainability are fundamental to every construction project. At RISE, we offer advanced analysis and testing of cement and concrete, covering everything from chemical composition to strength and long-term performance. With our experts and accredited laboratories, you get reliable results that meet both national and international standards.
Incorrect or substandard building materials can lead to cracks, reduced strength, and costly repairs, but they can also undermine the trust of customers, partners, and regulatory authorities. With our expertise, you can minimize risks, optimize material use, and ensure long-term sustainability.
What we offer
RISE offers both comprehensive solutions and individual testing and analysis of cement and concrete. Contact us to discuss which solution best suits your needs.
With RISE, you get a partner that combines deep technical expertise with practical experience in the cement and concrete industry. We collaborate with construction companies, material manufacturers, and other players throughout Sweden. Our services contribute to:
Sustainable and safe construction projects
Reduced repair and maintenance costs
Documented quality in accordance with national and international standards.
Contact us
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or requests for quotes. Our experts will help you choose the right testing and inspection services for your specific projects.
Våra tjänster inom cement och betong
RISE erbjuder både helhetslösningar och enskild provning och testning av cement och betong. Kontakta oss för att diskutera vilken lösning som bäst passar dina behov.
Med RISE får ni en partner som kombinerar djup teknisk expertis med praktisk erfarenhet inom cement- och betongindustrin. Vi samarbetar med byggföretag, materialtillverkare och andra aktörer över hela Sverige. Våra tjänster bidrar till:
Hållbara och säkra byggprojekt
Minskade kostnader för reparationer och underhåll
Dokumenterad kvalitet enligt nationella och internationella standarder
Kontakta oss
Tveka inte att kontakta oss för frågor eller offertförfrågningar. Våra experter hjälper dig att välja rätt provning och tester för just dina projekt.
Contact form title:Contact usContact form description:
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. Our experts will help you choose the right testing and inspection services for your specific projects.
When it comes to building materials, quality, safety, and sustainability are crucial. Cement is the heart of concrete, and together with sand, aggregate, and other additives, it forms the basis of construction projects such as bridges, roads, and buildings. The properties of both cement and concrete affect both longevity and safety. That is why RISE offers testing and chemical analysis of both cement and concrete.
“We test both cement and concrete in detail to ensure that they perform optimally in various construction projects and meet performance and safety requirements. This involves everything from strength and chemical analyses to how the material develops over time,” says Katarina Malaga, Business Development Manager for Sustainable Construction at RISE.
At RISE laboratories, experts carry out analyses that test chemical composition, fresh properties, strength, durability, heat development, and crack formation. This makes it possible to identify and prevent risks, while ensuring that the materials meet requirements for strength and long service life.
From laboratory to field testing
"Field testing provides us with insights that laboratory tests cannot always provide. We can see how materials behave under real conditions – from weather exposure to stress – which is crucial for buildings and infrastructure to last over time," says Katarina Malaga.
Through careful testing and trialing, RISE is an important partner for construction companies, architects, and material manufacturers. The results reduce risks, prevent problems, and help make buildings and infrastructure both sustainable and safe.
“Our job is to ensure that cement and concrete meet all requirements for quality, performance, and safety. Being able to test and evaluate materials at all levels—from the laboratory to the field—is a fundamental part of our work,” says Katarina Malaga.
Our services
We combine experience and precision to provide you with reliable solutions every step of the way. A selection of our services:
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 challenge in the market.
Coordinator
Active
Cement and concrete
Construction
Circular transition
The project aims to develop a circular management of prefabricated concrete elements by creating a digital infrastructure for collecting data on reused elements from demolition projects. This includes linking demolition permit registers with business systems via digital product passports with IFC standards.
The project will also implement reuse inventory and quality assurance at retailers, and develop and validate various circular business models. Logistics solutions for transport, warehousing and resale will be validated, and reuse will be included in EPDs to create added value.
The project addresses challenges such as quality assurance, logistics and business models, and aims to establish circular flows in the construction industry. By focusing on the reuse of concrete elements, the project aims to reduce climate impact and create an integrated ecosystem for the built environment. The results will be disseminated through seminars, digital channels and publications, and the project is expected to contribute to increased access to quality-assured recycled concrete elements, reduced climate impact and changed business models.
Name of service (page headline, shown in promos – maximum of 70 characters incl. spaces):Investigation of courtyard joistsLead (include SEO-words and the main benefits for your target groups. Stick to one paragraph, maximum 2-3 sentences):
RISE investigators have long and broad experience of moisture damage investigations and condition assessments of joists under courtyards. RISE can carry out simple investigations or more complicated assessments in order to investigate the cause of damage, assess the condition of the joist and suggest appropriate measures.
Purpose/Benefit:
RISE's moisture experts and experienced concrete assessors can prepare documentation that includes the cause of damage, the condition of the courtyard joist and propose measures.
Method (what/which methods are used to perform the service):
In RISE assessments of courtyard joists, visual inspections, damage mapping, measurements and sampling are often included. If needed, analyses are conducted in the RISE laboratory. In older courtyards, this usually includes creating inspection openings to assess the construction of the joists and the condition of the bearing steel beams.
Delivery (what does the client get after performed service – e.g. a report, certificate etc.):
Report containing relevant data and documentation according to the purpose and scope of the commission.
Field measurements:YesPrice type:1Division:Do not use - Division Built EnvironmentPreparation:No preparation requiredCertification and marking:Not applicableType of service: Inspection Testing / Analysis / EvaluationInstrument:CalipersGeneral area:Not applicable
In this study, improved solutions have been developed with a second barrier or secondary seal and drainage, which have been verified through laboratory tests. Commonly occurring façade details have been included, such as several variants of horizontal and vertical element joints, balcony, window, roof, and foundation connections.
Overall, the tests showed one or more options for sealed solutions for facade details. The primary seal in element joints consisted of joint sealant. All solutions had a second barrier or secondary seal, which is a feature that can be considered an extra safety measure if the outer seal does not hold completely tight. The water-diverting function of the second barrier was also tested and demonstrated the intended function. This has provided the basis for a guide with basic solutions.
Name of service (page headline, shown in promos – maximum of 70 characters incl. spaces):Survey of facadesLead (include SEO-words and the main benefits for your target groups. Stick to one paragraph, maximum 2-3 sentences):
RISE concrete assessors have extensive experience in inspecting damages in various types of facades, such as facades of concrete elements, plaster or brick.
Purpose/Benefit:
Damage to concrete facade elements may occur during installation and later worsen when moisture enters the damage. Moisture may then cause frost damage and reinforcement corrosion, leading to subsequent concrete damage. Frost damage and damage due to reinforcement corrosion may also occur over time in undamaged areas of concrete elements and in cast-in-place concrete.
Corrosion may occur through carbonation, which is a chemical reaction between the carbon dioxide in the air and the alkaline components in the concrete, causing the pH to decrease in the concrete. When carbonation reaches the reinforcing bars, they begin to rust, provided the concrete is sufficiently moist. Reinforcement corrosion may also occur if the concrete contains chlorides above a certain critical level. The corrosion products (rust) have a much larger volume than the original steel, which leads to so-called rust bursting. As a result, the concrete cover layer outside the reinforcement cracks and eventually falls off.
Concrete may freeze and crack if it has insufficient frost resistance.
Damage to facades of plaster and brick may occur due to subsidence, movements, and incorrect applying of plaster or brick including mortar.
Method (what/which methods are used to perform the service):
RISE's surveys of facades usually include visual inspection, damage mapping, measurements and sampling.
Delivery (what does the client get after performed service – e.g. a report, certificate etc.):
RISE's surveys are usually compiled in verified survey reports.
Area: Cement and concrete Inspection Fire safety Construction Control Corrosion Risk and safety Built environment Total defence and crisis preparednessContact person (Enter one name per field. Activated personal contact pages will appear automatically):Per Martinell, Utredare
Field measurements:YesPrice type:1Division:Do not use - Division Built EnvironmentPreparation:No preparation requiredCertification and marking:Not applicableType of service: Inspection Testing / Analysis / EvaluationInstrument: Electrometers CalipersGeneral area:Not applicable
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 is being slowed by unclear rules and uncertainty about quality. To speed up the transition, RISE has established a center with the goal of making reuse a natural part of the construction process.
As sustainability requirements increase, reclaiming construction materials is becoming an increasingly important solution to reduce climate impact. But the lack of quality assurance, traceability and clear regulations means that the potential is often lost.
- We know that the will is there in the industry. But without clear rules and structured support, reuse risks getting stuck in the pilot stage, says Katarina Malaga, Business Development Manager for Sustainable Construction at RISE.
Major climate benefits
According to RISE, reclaiming load-bearing building components, such as concrete frames, can reduce the climate impact by up to 80 percent compared with new production. These structures often have many years left in their lifespan when demolished.
We can no longer afford to wait - reuse must become the norm in the construction industry if we are to meet the climate challenges of the future.
Katarina Malaga
Examples of reuse projects have shown how previously discarded materials can be reclaimed while maintaining their function and safety. This shows both the potential and the need for structured approaches to quality assurance and logistics.
- We offer a comprehensive solution that combines research with practical support. By working closely with both public and private actors, we can help to ensure that reuse is not just seen as an alternative, but as a natural part of future construction, says Katarina Malaga.
Through research, quality assurance and collaboration, the goal is to simplify the path from idea to implementation while building confidence in the performance and sustainability of reclaimed products.
- It's about creating a sense of security at every stage. With the right support and knowledge, we can work with the industry to scale up reuse and contribute to a more resource-efficient and climate-friendly construction sector, says Katarina Malaga.
