Crushing it? A first look at the Norwegian construction aggregates cycle through the lens of MFA

Construction aggregates literally provide the foundation of urbanized society as key components of concrete, asphalt, and various other infrastructure applications. Norway, a country rich in quality rock for crushing, is one of the largest per-capita aggregate producers in Europe. However, its current, predominantly linear, aggregate supply chain is increasingly criticized for its impacts on material and land resource availability. A key issue is the systematic excavation and subsequent disposal of geomaterials as part of construction activities. Although these resources may demonstrate equivalent properties as the energy-intensive output from primary production, flows of construction excavation materials (CEMs) and their role in the aggregates cycle are poorly documented and understood. This work presents in-progress research towards a first quantification of the Norwegian construction aggregates system. A Material Flow Analysis is used to highlight critical information gaps and inefficient system configurations and discuss challenges and opportunities in improving resource management.