During the visit, Jessika Roswall highlighted the work of both Fabege and Vasakronan as strong examples of how circularity and commercially sound sustainability practices can be translated into real, practical impact.

– It is inspiring to see how the Swedish construction and real estate sector is driving circular development in practice. You are showcasing solutions that reduce climate impact, cut costs, and create long-term value. These are precisely the kinds of insights we need in our work to shape the EU’s circular regulatory framework, said Jessika Roswall, EU Commissioner.
She also underscored how Fabege has moved beyond the pilot phase and is now working in a structured and scalable way with reuse.

– It is interesting to see how this is no longer a pilot project for you but an integrated part of your operations. You demonstrate how reuse can be managed systematically, while also highlighting the challenges that must be overcome to scale it even further,  Roswall continued.

Fabege’s Reuse Hub – a natural part of the business

For Mia Häggström, Head of Sustainability at Fabege, the visit offered an opportunity to explain how the hub operates and how the company works with circular construction and reuse.

– In renovation projects, we aim to retain as much as possible of the existing structure. When new material is required, it should be circular – and for that, we need a clear overview of what is available. The Reuse Hub gives us that overview while also helping us maximise supply and demand, says Mia Häggström.

At the same time, she emphasises that there are still barriers that must be addressed.

– There are challenges related to regulatory requirements, standards, and quality assurance. With clearer rules and better conditions, we could scale up significantly. We look forward to an expanded producer responsibility, where manufacturers take back their materials, refurbish them, and make them available to the market as reused materials.

Shared insights for the development of the EU’s circular regulatory framework

The discussions during the day underscored the need for EU regulations that create incentives for circular choices, simplify material traceability, and enable harmonised standards for reused construction materials.

– To succeed with the transition, EU regulations must reward transformation over new construction and remove barriers to reuse. The industry is ready. Now we need long-term rules of the game that make circular investments easier, says Rikard Silverfur, Head of Development and Sustainability at the Swedish Property Federation.
Roswall also stressed the importance of Swedish stakeholders engaging actively in EU processes, not least in the context of the New European Bauhaus, which brings together sustainability, aesthetics, quality, and social inclusion.

– The New European Bauhaus is about building sustainably, beautifully, and economically wisely. It should not be imposed top-down but grow from those who shape our communities. Sweden has much to contribute here, Roswall said.