– Regelverken har stor påverkan på hur vi arbetar, upphandlar och bygger. När nu flera nya regelverk införs samtidigt, kan det kännas skrämmande, men de kan också fungera som innovationsmotor, sa Jan Suchorzewski, marknadschef infrastruktur och betongbyggande på RISE, under heldagskonferensen Forum Samhällsbyggnad, där offentlig sektor och näringsliv årligen möts för att tillsammans stärka samhällsutvecklingen. 

Han fortsätter:

– Krav på klimatdeklaration av byggnader samt EU:s taxonomi och koldioxidbeskattningssystem (ETS) har påskyndat utvecklingen av alternativa bindemedel, klimatförbättrad betong och storskaligt återbruk, vilket även minskar mängden byggavfall. Detta ställer i sin tur krav på branschen gällande kvalitetskontroll, datahantering och redovisning samt praktisk implementering i byggprojekt.

Hållbarhet och konkurrenskraft hänger ihop

Företag som investerar i energieffektiva byggmetoder, cirkulära materialflöden och klimatanpassade konstruktioner positionerar sig allt starkare på en marknad i förändring. Beställare, inte minst offentliga aktörer, ställer i ökad utsträckning miljökrav i upphandlingar, och den trenden väntas bara accelerera i takt med att EU:s regelverk får genomslag i hela värdekedjan.

– Det handlar inte bara om compliance längre – att ställa om till de nya regelverken handlar också om att stärka sin konkurrenskraft, sa Emma Grass, projektchef på Skanska.

Skanska bedriver just nu ett av Sveriges största återbruksprojekt av betong, där cirka 10 000 kvadratmeter betongbjälklag från en galleria i centrala Kristianstad ska demonteras och återanvändas i nya byggprojekt. Emma Grass tror att regelverken kommer att underlätta den här typen av storskaligt återbruk i framtiden.  

– Att kvalitetssäkra återbruk har länge varit en utmaning i branschen, men de ökade kraven på dokumentation och spårbarhet kommer att göra det enklare att bedöma materialets potential och synliggöra produkter på marknaden, sa Emma Grass.

Data och digitala produktpass  

Kraven på digital dokumentation och produktpass ställer nya förväntningar på hela leverantörskedjan. Det räcker inte att ett enskilt bolag har koll på sin data – informationen måste flöda genom hela värdekedjan och hålla tillräcklig kvalitet.

– En grundläggande utmaning är att mycket fokus läggs på att rapportera in data, men frågan om varifrån datan ska komma är ofta olöst. Vi behöver arbeta mer med cirkulära affärsmodeller och hitta ett sätt där affärsmodellerna driver skapandet av datan, sa Mikael Lindecrantz, Digital Innovation Lead på Ragn-Sells.

Certifiering och verifiering – framtidens kvalitetsstämplar

I takt med att kraven ökar växer behovet av oberoende verifiering. Certifiering kommer att spela en allt större roll, både som kvalitetsstämpel och som ett sätt att hantera flera parallella kravställare. 

– Det finns flera kravställare inom byggsektorn, bland annat regelverken, branschorganisationer och försäkringsbolag. Här kommer certifiering och verifiering spela en allt större roll för att kunna visa att produkter, system, kompetens och branschdokument faktiskt uppfyller funktions- och lagkrav, sa Dag Sjöholm, marknadschef certifiering på RISE.

Sedan införandet av Boverkets nya byggregler 2025 har RISE utökat sitt stöd till byggsektorn, bland annat genom att ta fram en metod för verifiering av branschdokument utifrån den internationella standarden IEC/ISO 17029:2019.  

– Utan gemensamma tolkningar riskerar vi motstridiga vägledningar och minskat förtroende. Branschdokument som är verifierade av en oberoende tredje part, är ett kraftfullt verktyg för att säkerställa kvalitet och efterlevnad av regelverken, sa Dag Sjöholm.

Från krav till möjlighet

Byggsektorn befinner sig mitt i en omvandling som berör hela affärslogiken, från hur material dokumenteras och väljs, till hur affärsmodeller utformas och hur samarbeten längs värdekedjan behöver fördjupas.

Regelverken är komplexa, men de pekar mot ett tydligt mål: en mer transparent, datadriven och cirkulär byggprocess. För de aktörer som väljer att se dem som en möjlighet snarare än en börda finns det goda förutsättningar att ta en ledande position i omställningen. RISE fortsätter att driva på denna förändring – genom forskning, samverkan och konkreta verktyg för en mer hållbar byggvardag. 

Läs mer och kontakta oss

RISE erbjuder ett brett stöd kopplat till regelverken och omställningen till ett hållbart byggande. Kontakta oss gärna.

• Boverkets nya byggregler – stöd till byggsektorn
• Centrum för kvalitetssäkrat återbruk i byggsektorn
• Verifiering av branschdokument enligt Boverkets nya byggregler
• Cirkulär omställning

Vasabron has connected Tegelbacken and Riddarholmen since 1878, serving pedestrians, cyclists, cars and buses. Today, cracks have been identified in the bridge’s load-bearing structure, meaning it cannot be preserved in its current form. As a temporary measure, a steel support structure was installed beneath the existing bridge – designed to function for five to six years while a new bridge is developed. The structure consists of seven beams, each approximately 20–25 metres long.

This temporary solution created an unexpected opportunity: to use the beams as a testbed for evaluating alternative corrosion protection systems under realistic conditions, within a time-pressured infrastructure project in an urban environment.

For Frank Axhag at the City of Stockholm Traffic Office, this presented an opportunity to test environmentally improved coating systems at scale, with limited risk. As a representative of the City of Stockholm in RISE’s industrial network MRC Corrosion Protection, he had followed developments in plastic-free systems for several years and now saw a chance to evaluate them in practice.

“We saw that the seven beams in the temporary structure could be used to test different coating systems and compare their performance under similar conditions. This is important knowledge – we manage several large steel bridges in Stockholm where corrosion protection will need to be renewed within the next decade. Working with an independent research institute like RISE gives us a reliable basis for decision-making,” says Frank Axhag.

From research to real-world application

RISE has been working with plastic-free corrosion protection systems for several years. The work began with literature studies showing that a significant share of microplastics in marine environments can be linked to coatings used on ships, offshore structures and infrastructure. Many conventional systems are based on epoxy and polyurethane – thermosetting plastics that can contribute to microplastic emissions as coatings degrade over time.

“We didn’t just want to describe the problem, but also explore which technical alternatives already exist,” says Björn Tidbeck, Senior Researcher at RISE.

The work has included laboratory testing and accelerated corrosion testing on smaller panels, combined with long-term exposure in real environments. Tests have been carried out in Nordic climates as well as in Panama, where heat and high humidity create highly corrosive conditions.

Among the most promising alternatives are zinc silicate systems – a type of coating that does not contain plastic and protects steel through different mechanisms than conventional systems. As part of the research, RISE has also developed new zinc silicate systems together with industry partners, combining practical applicability with environmental benefits.

When the research moved beyond laboratory conditions, a full-scale test environment was needed. Vasabron provided that opportunity. Applying corrosion protection to 25-metre steel beams in an industrial setting involves entirely different practical conditions compared to coating small panels in controlled lab environments.

RISE was responsible for the technical coating specification, quality control during application and final inspection, in collaboration with contractors and the City of Stockholm.

Seven systems – clear differences

The test included both plastic-free alternatives and established reference systems, ranging from water-based zinc silicates and acrylics to alkyd, epoxy and polyurethane systems. To enable a fair comparison, all systems were documented systematically during surface preparation, application and curing. The results highlight clear differences – both technically and practically.

The time from blasting to finished beam ranged from one day to more than ten days, directly affecting capacity and costs in large-scale projects. Solvent emissions varied significantly, from around 37 kilograms per beam at one end of the spectrum to less than 100 grams at the other. Four of the systems were completely plastic-free and therefore associated with a lower risk of microplastic emissions from the binder.

Painters were interviewed throughout the project, and both challenges and effective working methods were documented.

“This was the first time several of these systems were tested in a full-scale industrial environment. We were interested in the practical lessons – what actually happens when you leave the laboratory,” says Björn Tidbeck.

Documented results and insights

The project shows that plastic-free corrosion protection systems can work in full-scale applications – but also that the choice of system has clear implications for implementation, environmental impact and long-term performance.

“Some systems are more sensitive to apply, and that needs to be acknowledged. In practice, it comes down to balancing ease of application with long-term performance and environmental impact. For example, a solvent-based zinc ethyl silicate combined with a silicate topcoat can be applied three times faster, results in one tenth of the solvent emissions and requires 30 percent less labour compared to today’s bridge coating systems. Accelerated corrosion testing also indicates improved performance,” explains Björn Tidbeck.

Several of the systems tested are not covered by the international coating standard ISO 12944-5, despite similar technologies having been used internationally for many years. This means that established guidelines for their use are lacking, making the results from Vasabron particularly relevant for Nordic infrastructure.

Knowledge that extends beyond the project

The results are not only relevant to this specific project – they have attracted interest from both public and industrial stakeholders in Sweden and internationally, as the findings can be directly applied to future material selection and specification.

Through the industrial network MRC Corrosion Protection, members gain access to documentation, test protocols and insights from the full-scale test as part of a broader knowledge-sharing environment.

“We now have a five- to ten-year period during which we can monitor and evaluate the coating systems in terms of corrosion protection, environmental impact, durability and cost – and then select the solutions that best meet our requirements,” says Frank Axhag.

The seven beams will be monitored throughout the lifetime of the temporary structure. RISE plans regular inspections to document how the systems perform in Nordic climate and urban environments. Once the structure is dismantled, parts of the beams will be moved to exposure sites for continued long-term monitoring, enabling data collection over several decades.

A decision basis for future infrastructure

The project demonstrates how full-scale testing, carried out with limited risk, can reduce uncertainty and build practical knowledge for future material decisions in critical infrastructure.

“This testing has the potential to influence how we specify future coating systems, where environmental and sustainability targets will play an increasingly important role,” concludes Frank Axhag.

By testing, documenting and evaluating systems in real environments, sustainability becomes an operational aspect of planning, implementation and long-term asset management.

Vasabron is a clear example of this in practice. When the bridge was built in the late 19th century, it represented the engineering of its time. Over more than a century, it has been rebuilt, reinforced and adapted to new demands. Today, as it reaches the end of its technical lifespan, it takes on a new role – as a testbed for future materials and more sustainable infrastructure management.

The construction and property sector is undergoing a decisive transformation. New EU requirements, climate targets and regulations are reshaping the playing field at record speed – whilst opportunities are growing for those players who dare to think innovatively and work together.

Against this backdrop, RISE brought together experts, decision-makers and innovators at the Forum Samhällsbyggnad 2026 in Gothenburg. By bringing together stakeholders from across the value chain, a platform was created to turn knowledge into action – and to identify how solutions can progress from pilot projects to widespread implementation.
 

Reuse as a practical tool for reducing climate impact

One area where the transition is already taking clear shape is the use of materials – where reuse is rapidly moving from aspiration to implementation.

Simon Grimberg, Executive Vice President of Development Partner and Deputy Project Manager at Jernhusen, spoke about the development of Göteborg Grand Central – a new station building that connects Gothenburg Central Station and the Nils Ericson Terminal, whilst setting a new standard for sustainable construction.

– We have developed a reuse strategy that identifies which materials are suitable for reuse and which are not. We also have a circularity strategy and a greening plan to increase biodiversity in the area. We identified brick early on as key to significantly reducing our climate impact, which is why all of the approximately 600,000 bricks have been reused from Denmark.

Navigating a changing world

As concrete solutions are developed, complexity increases. The world we live in today is more fast-paced and harder to interpret than it has been for a long time, and decisions often need to be made before the full picture is clear. Consequently, the ability to interpret change, consider multiple timeframes simultaneously and build foresight is becoming increasingly important in order to act wisely in an increasingly uncertain world.

Daniel Mattisson, Innovation and Process Manager at RISE, offered a forward-looking perspective on the construction sector’s transition:

– A key challenge for the construction and property sector is the need to accommodate multiple timeframes simultaneously. There is the here and now, where projects must be driven forward and requirements met, but also a longer-term trend in which shifts in areas such as climate adaptation, circularity and digitalisation are changing the landscape at an ever-increasing pace. Foresight is about exploring possible futures, identifying risks and opportunities in good time, and making more robust decisions. It is about both delivering in the present and creating better conditions for the future we want to help build.

From EU directives to everyday practice in the Swedish construction industry

A key issue for the industry is how new EU directives, standards and national regulations are implemented in practice – and how they can be used to drive development rather than hinder it.

This was discussed by Mikael Lindecrantz, Digital Innovation Lead at Ragn-Sells, Emma Grass, Project Manager at Skanska, Jan Suchorzewski, Marketing Manager for Infrastructure and Concrete Construction at RISE, and Dag Sjöholm, Marketing Manager for Certification at RISE.

The discussion touched on topics such as increased data requirements, digital product passports and circularity – areas where common working methods and standards are crucial to enabling scale.

– It’s about finding the best possible use for the material and letting its properties dictate how it is used. The EU has standards for the digital documentation of materials, and we have, in parallel, developed ways of describing how materials can be reused. By linking these concepts, we achieve a positive outcome: the material is used more effectively whilst generating the data needed for reporting – a real win-win, said Mikael Lindecrantz.

Innovation where conflicting goals converge

When ambitious sustainability goals come up against practical, economic and legal constraints, conflicts of interest arise. But it is also here, in this area of tension, that new solutions take shape.

Kristian Käll, Sustainability Manager at Älvstranden Utveckling AB, Lina K Wiles, Chief Sustainability Officer at Adapteo Group, Magnus Söderholm, Senior Project Manager at the City of Gothenburg, and Katarina Malaga, Head of Business Development for Sustainable Construction at RISE, highlighted the importance of identifying conflicting objectives early on in projects – as a prerequisite for managing them and driving development forward.

– High ambitions create conflicting priorities between, for example, different sustainability perspectives, timelines and financial considerations, and to manage these we need to work collaboratively from an early stage with those who will be carrying out the construction. In our areas, the climate transition must be a cornerstone, with significant reductions in emissions during construction, whilst we continue to have high expectations for good design and inclusive facilities for the people of Gothenburg, said Kristian Käll.

Technology, materials and data as enablers

The technological shift is already here. AI, digital twins and new materials solutions are transforming the way we plan, build and manage – and opening up entirely new ways to optimise resource use and reduce our environmental impact.

Ida Malmgren, CEO of Kaminsky Arkitektur, Urban Blomster, Product Manager at Södra Building System, Andrea Gajic, Digital Innovation Strategist at Västfastigheter, VGR, Sofia Stensson, researcher and Project Manager in the Built environment, AI and digitalisation at RISE, and Magnus Falk, Project Manager in Sustainable construction at RISE, gave examples of how these developments are already driving change throughout the value chain.

– There are possibilities we aren’t even aware of, and that’s incredibly exciting. One quote that has really stuck with me is: ‘First we shape technology, then technology shapes us.’ AI has already changed the way we work, but the most important question isn’t what the technology can do – but what we want it to do for us. Used correctly, it can free up time for reflection, creativity and better decisions – which ultimately helps us achieve the results we actually want, said Sofia Stensson.

From strategy to action – and on to scaling

A recurring theme throughout the day was how climate targets are translated into concrete changes – and how good examples can progress from individual initiatives to widespread implementation.

Nina Jacobsson Stålheim, Head of Development for Ecological Sustainability at Förvaltnings AB Framtiden, Magnus Österbring, Research and Innovation Coordinator at NCC, Andreas Huss, Project Manager for Urban Planning at RISE, and Ann-Charlotte Mellquist, Researcher in Circular Economy and Circular Business Models at RISE, discussed how climate ambitions are becoming a reality – and what is needed to scale them up.

– In the Circularity Gap Report The Value Gap: Sweden we have analysed how much economic value is lost in Sweden’s linear economy – and the biggest value gap lies in the construction and property sector. Closing this gap presents significant opportunities to preserve value, strengthen circularity and meet the sector’s future needs,” said Ann-Charlotte Mellquist.

– We are well placed to translate climate targets into concrete changes, not least thanks to political courage in Gothenburg and clear, ambitious goals. As a developer, we have had to take on entirely new roles: we have had to step in actively, not just act as clients but instead drive development. We work with three time horizons – setting challenging but realistic requirements that create the conditions here and now, implementing pilot projects that move us forward, and, together with market players, driving and stimulating the solutions of tomorrow, said Nina Jacobsson Stålheim.

Significant value to be unlocked in a circular economy

At the same time, there is significant untapped potential in today’s system – both in financial and resource terms. Ann-Charlotte Mellquist highlighted the financial losses in the construction and property sectors within today’s linear economy – and the business opportunities arising from the transition.

– There are significant losses in value, but also major business opportunities – renovating, repairing and reusing rather than demolishing or throwing away, as well as finding ways to utilise unused space. However, we need to collaborate more in this area, for example through industrial symbiosis or reuse hubs. In any case, it is not possible to become circular on your own.

Collaboration as the key – from initiative to systemic change

One clear conclusion from the day is that the solutions exist – but to have a real impact, they need to be disseminated, scaled up and implemented across the entire system.

Here, collaboration, joint knowledge-building and the ability to move from testing to application play a crucial role – areas in which RISE, together with the industry, is driving development forward.

Marco Lucisano, Executive Director, Public Sector and International Relations at RISE, summed up the day:

– We’ve been talking about how we can try new things, and I think that in itself is a stance we sometimes forget when we focus on the difficulties. It’s important to remember that it really is possible. Let’s help each other give it a go, and once we’ve tried – seize opportunities, expand and scale up – so that it really makes a difference!

He also emphasised the importance of collaboration – and RISE role as a facilitator in the transition:

– The forum and the discussions held there have provided new perspectives and demonstrated the power of collaboration. RISE has an important role to play as a driving force for change in Sweden’s transition and competitiveness – but this is something we do together. The Forum Samhällsbyggnad is precisely the kind of meeting place where collaboration becomes possible. Let us now continue to drive the development towards more sustainable construction forward together, said Marco Lucisano.