Short answer

Integrate the concept of Material Passports into the design process to ensure material traceability and facilitate future reuse and recycling, thereby supporting circular economy principles.

Field: Sustainability
Source: Sustainability (2026)
Method: Systematic Literature Review (SLR) using the PRISMA methodology.
Sample: 46 studies
Evidence: Strong effect

Material Passports are essential for enabling a circular economy in the construction industry by providing critical data on materials, despite current fragmentation in their definition and implementation. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2026 study published in Sustainability. Using Systematic literature review (slr) using the prisma methodology. with 46 studies, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Integrate the concept of Material Passports into the design process to ensure material traceability and facilitate future reuse and recycling, thereby supporting circular economy principles.

Study

SustainabilityNew This WeekStrong effect

Material Passports Drive Circularity in Construction by Quantifying Resource Data

Sustainability · 2026

Key Findings

01Material Passports are vital for bridging data gaps in the AEC industry for circular economy adoption.
02The research landscape for Material Passports is growing rapidly but is heterogeneous, with varying definitions and scopes.
03Significant implementation challenges exist, especially for existing buildings.
04Digital tools can enhance cohesion, dynamic updates, and interoperability of Material Passports.
05There is a need for cohesive adoption strategies, unified standards, stakeholder collaboration, and regulatory support.

Application

Design takeaway

Integrate the concept of Material Passports into the design process to ensure material traceability and facilitate future reuse and recycling, thereby supporting circular economy principles.

How to apply

When specifying materials for a design project, research and request Material Passports to understand their composition, origin, and potential for future circularity. Explore digital platforms that can manage this data.

Project actions

01When selecting materials for your design, investigate if Material Passports are available and what information they contain.
02Consider how your design choices will impact the ability to create or use Material Passports in the future.
03Explore digital tools that can help manage material data for circularity.

Method & Evidence

AimTo systematically review the existing literature on Material Passports and their role in advancing a circular economy within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry.

MethodSystematic Literature Review (SLR) using the PRISMA methodology.

ProcedureA comprehensive search of the Scopus database was conducted, followed by screening and in-depth analysis of 46 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters related to Material Passports and circular economy in construction.

Sample46 studies

ContextArchitecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, Circular Economy

Variables

IVAvailability and standardization of Material Passports

DVAdoption of circular economy principles in construction

CVType of building (new vs. existing), regulatory environment, digital infrastructure

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Systematic and rigorous review methodology (PRISMA).
+Focus on a critical emerging area for sustainable construction.

Limitations

It can be challenging to access or create comprehensive Material Passports for all materials, especially for existing structures or novel components.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the review is enhanced by the systematic PRISMA methodology. Validity is supported by the inclusion of peer-reviewed literature, but the heterogeneity of the field may introduce variability in findings.

Think critically

Given the current fragmentation in definitions and implementation, what are the most critical elements that a standardized Material Passport system should include to be effective across the entire construction lifecycle?

Design Principles

"Design for Disassembly and Reuse through comprehensive material data management."

For designers and engineers, understanding and advocating for Material Passports is crucial for designing more sustainable buildings. This approach facilitates material reuse, recycling, and reduces waste by making the composition and history of building components transparent.

What This Means for Your Design

Think of Material Passports like a detailed ID card for building materials. They tell you what the material is made of, where it came from, and how it can be reused or recycled later. This helps make construction more environmentally friendly.

How to use in your project

1.Reference the importance of Material Passports when discussing the sustainability and lifecycle of your design choices.
2.Explain how your design could benefit from or contribute to the development of Material Passports.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The concept of Material Passports is critical for advancing a circular economy in the built environment. By providing detailed information on material composition, origin, and end-of-life potential, these passports facilitate reuse and recycling, thereby reducing waste and resource depletion. My design project aims to explore how such data management systems can be integrated into the design process to enhance the sustainability and circularity of constructed elements.

Source

Sustainability

The Material Passport for a Circular Construction Industry: A PRISMA Based Systematic Review

journal · 2026

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about material passports drive circularity in construction by quantifying resource data?: Integrate the concept of Material Passports into the design process to ensure material traceability and facilitate future reuse and recycling, thereby supporting circular economy principles. Evidence: Sustainability (2026).
Why does "Material Passports Drive Circularity in Construction by Quantifying Resource Data" matter for design?: For designers and engineers, understanding and advocating for Material Passports is crucial for designing more sustainable buildings. This approach facilitates material reuse, recycling, and reduces waste by making the composition and history of building components transparent.
How can designers apply this research?: Integrate the concept of Material Passports into the design process to ensure material traceability and facilitate future reuse and recycling, thereby supporting circular economy principles.
What were the main findings?: Material Passports are vital for bridging data gaps in the AEC industry for circular economy adoption.. The research landscape for Material Passports is growing rapidly but is heterogeneous, with varying definitions and scopes.. Significant implementation challenges exist, especially for existing buildings.. Digital tools can enhance cohesion, dynamic updates, and interoperability of Material Passports.
What research method was used?: Systematic Literature Review (SLR) using the PRISMA methodology. with 46 studies.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2026 journal from Sustainability.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When specifying materials for a design project, research and request Material Passports to understand their composition, origin, and potential for future circularity. Explore digital platforms that can manage this data.
What are the limitations?: The review primarily focused on peer-reviewed literature and may not capture all industry-led initiatives or grey literature. The rapid evolution of the field means some findings might be quickly superseded.