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Acoustic absorption is the ability of a material to absorb sound. It reduces reverberation and improves comfort. This is important in public and work spaces. Absorption is expressed in absorption coefficient, usually referred to as a (alpha) or Noise Reduction Coeffient (NRC).

Activity Based Working (ABW) is a work concept where employees choose a workspace that suits the activity they are performing, such as focusing, collaborating, or holding meetings. The work environment consists of various types of workspaces that can be used flexibly, creating an environment that supports productivity, collaboration, hybrid working, and efficient use of space.

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Aesthetic longevity is the period during which a product is found visually appealing. This lifespan often determines replacement. It usually differs from the technical lifetime.

Bamboo is a fast-growing and renewable material. It can grow 30-60 cm per day and has strong constructive properties. Bamboo is used as an alternative to wood.

A Bill of Materials (BoM) is an overview of all materials and components that make up a product. It is similar to a list of ingredients for a food product, but for a piece of furniture or other object, and provides insight into what is in it and in what proportion. The BoM forms a basis for LCA calculations, CO₂ analysis and assessing reuse, upcycling and recyclability.

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BIM (Building Information Modeling) is een digitale werkwijze waarbij projectinformatie centraal wordt beheerd in een intelligent 3D-model. Het verbetert de samenwerking tussen alle betrokken partijen, verhoogt de kwaliteit van informatie en vermindert faalkosten tijdens ontwerp, uitvoering en beheer.

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Biobased materials are made entirely or partially from renewable raw materials. Examples include wood, flax, and bamboo. They reduce dependence on fossil resources and can store CO₂. So these are raw materials that will grow again in a lifetime.

Bio-composite is a composite material based on natural fibers such as flax, hemp or jute. It combines good technical properties with a lower environmental impact. Bio-composites are used as an alternative to traditional fossil-based composites.

Material that can be broken down by microorganisms (such as bacteria and fungi and algae) into natural substances such as water, CO₂ (or methane under oxygen-poor conditions) and biomass. The degradation rate and extent of degradation depend heavily on conditions such as temperature, moisture, oxygen and microbial life; many materials are only fully degradable under industrial composting conditions. Biodegradable does not mean automatically compostable and does not exclude residual flows and environmental impact if processed incorrectly.

The biological cycle is part of the Cradle to Cradle principle. Materials return safely to nature after use and form new raw materials. Examples include compostable and biobased materials.

Blended spaces are spaces that combine multiple functions. They respond to flexible and efficient use of space. This is in line with changing forms of work and use.

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is an international certification system for sustainable buildings. It assesses performance in terms of energy, material use and health, among other things. BREEAM is the world's leading, integrated method for assessing the sustainability and energy efficiency of buildings and areas.

BREEAM-in-Use is a certification method for existing buildings in use. It measures sustainability performance in terms of management, energy, water and comfort. The method offers insight into opportunities for improvement during the use phase.

The carbon footprint is the total greenhouse gas emissions of a product, process or organization that are emitted directly and indirectly. These emissions are expressed in CO₂ equivalents. The carbon footprint is used to compare and reduce climate impact.

Cascading materials means reuse in applications with decreasing quality requirements. In this way, maximum value is obtained from raw materials.

Circular construction is a construction method aimed at closing material cycles to minimize waste and environmental impact over the entire lifespan. Design is done with reuse, demountability and the end of life in mind.

A circular economy is an economic system in which raw materials are used for as long as possible and waste is prevented. Products and materials retain their value through reuse, repair and recycling, with the aim of decoupling economic growth from the use of new raw materials. This is necessary to combat resource scarcity, restore biodiversity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, so that circular working contributes to combating climate change.

Circular interior design focuses on designing and realising interiors while maintaining material value. This takes into account reuse, dismantling and flexibility. Circular interior construction contributes to waste reduction, CO₂ reduction and future-proof buildings.

Circularity describes the extent to which products, materials and raw materials remain in closed cycles. The higher the circularity, the fewer new raw materials are needed. Circularity plays a central role in sustainable design and construction.

Indicator that shows what proportion of material flows in the economy is circularly reused compared to the use of primary raw materials. The term, familiar from Circle Economy reports, shows how far an economy is from full circularity and is used for monitoring and policy direction.

Climate impact is the influence of activities, products or buildings on climate change. This impact is usually expressed in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing climate impact is an important goal in sustainable and circular construction.

Circular system where materials remain within a cycle of use and are reused for similar applications. This minimizes quality loss, reduces the need for new raw materials and supports high-quality recycling and reuse.

Co-creation is a form of cooperation where multiple parties design and decide jointly. Knowledge and interests are shared. This often leads to better supported solutions.

The CO₂ footprint is one of the impact categories within an LCA or EPD. It consists of three related components: the impact of production, the impact during use and the impact at the end of life (such as reuse, recycling or waste treatment). The CO₂ footprint considers the entirety of these phases and thus enables an integral comparison between alternatives, even when emissions vary by phase.

A commodity passport provides insight into the origin and composition of the raw materials used within a product or building. In practice, this concept partly overlaps with material and product passports. Because there is currently no single, recognized format, these passports are often used jointly to provide transparency about origin, composition and options for future reuse and recycling.

Composite materials consist of several components. They offer strong technical properties. Recycling is often more complex.

The CO₂ Performance Ladder is a Dutch tool that helps companies and governments measure, reduce and communicate their CO₂ emissions, both within the organization and in the chain. It encourages continuous improvement and sustainability of environments.

A CO₂ reduction strategy is a planned approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The strategy focuses on choices in design, material use, production and longevity. CO₂ reduction strategies are often used in sustainable construction and real estate development.

Cork is a renewable material from the bark of the cork oak tree. It has insulating and acoustic properties and is resilient. The tree remains alive after harvesting the bark.

CPL is a laminate that is continuously produced under lower pressure. It is mainly used for furniture and vertical applications. CPL is less durable than HPL.

Cradle to Cradle is a zero-waste design philosophy. Materials circulate in biological or technical cycles. At C2C, waste is seen as a raw material.

Raw materials that are economically essential but have a high supply risk due to scarcity, geopolitical dependence or limited extraction. They play a key role in sectors such as energy, technology and industry.

Data-driven design uses data as a basis for decisions. This increases predictability. It is being used more and more often.

Demountable design means that products or structures can easily be disassembled. As a result, parts remain suitable for reuse or repair. This increases the circular value of materials.

Design for Disassembly (DfD) is a design method where products are designed in such a way that they are easy to dismantle. This facilitates repair and maintenance, extends the lifespan and makes it possible to reuse parts. In addition, a good demountable design can contribute to more efficient production and lower assembly costs, because products are also easier to assemble. DfD is an important principle in circular design.

Design optimization is improving a design based on predetermined criteria. This can focus on sustainability, costs or performance.

Digital dataset with structured information about the origin, composition, environmental performance, repair, maintenance and circularity of a product over the entire life cycle. Increases transparency in the chain, supports reuse, repair and recycling, and becomes an important tool for circular product information within EU policy.

Digital representation of a physical product, object, or process that uses real-time data to monitor and optimize performance, usage, and maintenance. Used for simulations, predictive maintenance and more efficient lifecycle management, and supports reuse by providing insight into the condition, performance and residual value of products and materials.

A disassembly manual describes how products are safely disassembled. This supports reuse and recycling. It is important for circular management.

Dry compounds do not use glue or sealant. Examples include screw and click connections. They increase detachability and thereby support circularity.

EU regulations that set broad requirements for sustainability, circularity, energy and material use, repairability and longevity of products. Forms the overarching framework for product-related sustainability rules within the EU. The Digital Product Passport is an example of the implementation of the ESPR.

Ecosystem thinking approaches products as part of a larger system of chains, platforms and collaborations. This looks at material flows over the entire life cycle and across sector boundaries.

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Embodied carbon refers to the total CO₂ emissions associated with the extraction, production, transport, processing, and maintenance of materials throughout their lifecycle. A significant portion of these emissions occurs before a building or interior is even put into use. Reducing embodied carbon is a key component of sustainable and circular construction.

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Emission classes indicate the emission of harmful substances. Lower classes mean fewer emissions. This contributes to a healthier indoor climate.

An environmental impact analysis maps out the environmental effects of products or projects. The analysis supports sustainable decision making. LCA data is often used and it is also a vital part of this.

EPD stands for Environmental Product Declaration. An EPD includes the environmental performance of a product. Data is based on LCA. EPDs have been independently verified.

Environmental tax describes the impact of a product or activity on the environment. This looks at the use of raw materials, emissions, energy consumption and waste. Environmental impact is calculated on the basis of an LCA.

Fire class indicates how a material reacts to fire and the extent to which it contributes to fire development and spread. According to the European classification standard NEN-EN 13501-1, materials are categorized into fire classes A1, A2, B, C, D, E, and F, where A1 is non-combustible and F indicates no or insufficient performance. In addition, smoke development (s1, s2, or s3) and the formation of flaming droplets or particles (d0, d1, or d2) are assessed. The classification is based on tests conducted according to various European standards; together, these classifications provide insight into the fire safety of building materials and structures.

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Functional separability means that functions can be adjusted independently. This makes maintenance easier. It extends the lifespan.

Selectively dismantling and securing existing materials and parts for reuse, usually before renovation or demolition. For example, system walls, doors, frames, fixtures, ceiling panels and furniture components can often be harvested well. Harvesting prevents waste and preserves material value and, within the R ladder, mainly falls under Re-use, and, depending on the processing, also under Refurbish or Repurpose.

Structured overview of reusable materials and components from a building or interior, drawn up after inventory and inspection. Usually includes information about numbers, dimensions, condition, dismantling method and possible applications (e.g. lighting, sanitary facilities, counters, glass walls). The harvest list supports planning, logistics and processing and forms the basis for circular reuse in accordance with the R ladder.

Thin top layer consisting of several layers of paper soaked in resin, which is produced under high pressure and temperature. It is durable and is therefore often used in intensively used interiors, and is available in various reproductions with an aesthetic top layer.

Impact measurement is identifying the effects of products or projects on the environment, society and economy. The measurement makes sustainability objective and comparable. Impact measurement is often used in decision-making and accountability.

Inflow/Use/Outflow describes the life cycle of materials as a system: inflow of raw materials (inflow), use phase (use) and reuse, upcycling, recycling or waste phase (outflow). The quality of the outflow is determined by design choices, such as demountability and material purity, and influences the degree of circularity.

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IPM (Integraal Projectmanagement) is een projectmanagementmodel waarbij projectmanagement, projectbeheersing, techniek, contractmanagement en omgevingsmanagement integraal samenwerken. Hierdoor ontstaat meer grip op planning, kwaliteit, risico's, budget en stakeholdermanagement. Het model wordt veel toegepast bij complexe bouw- en infraprojecten.

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An integrated design approach combines technology, sustainability, use and aesthetics. All disciplines are considered in conjunction. This prevents sub-optimization in projects.

ISO 14001 is an international standard for environmental management systems. The standard helps organizations to structurally control and improve their environmental impact. ISO 14001 focuses on continuous monitoring and improving environmental performance according to the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle.

Just-in-Time (JIT) is a logistics method where materials are delivered only when they are needed. This reduces inventory, storage space, and transport movements. Effective coordination between suppliers, planning, and execution is essential to prevent delays and ensure efficient operations.

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Lean Planning is een samenwerkings- en planningsmethodiek gebaseerd op Lean-principes, gericht op het verminderen van verspilling en het creëren van een betrouwbare workflow. Door werkzaamheden gezamenlijk te plannen en continu te verbeteren, ontstaat meer grip op planning, capaciteit en uitvoering. Lean Planning draagt bij aan een efficiëntere projectrealisatie, minder faalkosten en een voorspelbaarder projectresultaat.

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LEED is an international certification system for sustainable buildings, originally developed in the United States. It assesses performance in the areas of energy, water use, materials and indoor climate. LEED is used worldwide in new construction and renovation.

Standardised method (ISO 14040/14044/14067) for mapping the total environmental impact of a product, service or process over the entire life cycle. This happens “from the cradle to the grave”: from raw material extraction, production and transport to use and end of life (waste treatment). An LCA forms the basis for sustainability calculations and the substantiation of environmental performance.

Extending the lifespan of products or materials means extending the useful life of products or materials. This can be done through maintenance, adaptability or reuse. It reduces raw material consumption and environmental impact.

Design approach where spaces and furniture are designed flexibly and adaptable so that they remain usable throughout the life cycle with changing needs. This is done in close coordination with the client, with future use, job changes and changing users at the heart of the design process.

Linoleum is a floor covering or top layer for furniture made from natural raw materials such as linseed oil, resin, cork flour and wood fibers. The material is sustainable and biodegradable. Linoleum is widely used in utility buildings.

Lock-in revenue models are commercial strategies where repeated use or replacement is part of the business model. Within the circular economy, these models can help maintain material flows and customer relationships for a long time.

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Longstay refers to product components with a very long technical lifespan (approximately 200+ years). These components form a stable basis and are often modular and demountable designed for long-term value retention.

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The term “magic bullet” refers to the expectation that one innovative material or technology will solve the circular issue. In practice, circularity depends on collaboration, design choices and system change. Instead of waiting for one solution, we focus on keeping up with market developments and continuous improvement.

Maintenance sensitivity indicates how much maintenance a material requires. This affects longevity and operating costs. It is an important selection criterion.

Material efficiency is the pursuit of achieving the same or better performance with fewer raw materials. By limiting material usage, promoting reuse, and minimizing waste, resources are utilized optimally and the circular economy is supported.

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Material origin describes where and how a material was produced. This is relevant for sustainability and transparency. It plays a role in certification.

A material passport is a digital overview of the materials used and acts as a list of ingredients: it shows what raw materials a product or object is made up of and what options there are for reuse or recycling. In practice, the material passport is often used jointly with a commodity passport.

Material recovery is the process of taking back materials after use. This can be done by producers or chain partners. It supports closed cycles.

MKI reduction means lowering the Environmental Cost Indicator of a product, project or design. In other words, reducing environmental damage (expressed in monetary terms).

The MKI value stands for Environmental Cost Indicator. It is a number that expresses the total environmental impact of a product in euros. The lower the MKI value, the lower the environmental impact.

Modular design is a method where products or buildings consist of interchangeable modules. This makes maintenance, expansion and adjustment easier. Modular design supports flexibility and circularity.

Nature-inclusive building is a design and construction method that takes biodiversity and the habitats of plants and animals into account. It integrates features such as green roofs, vertical gardens, nesting sites, and water storage into the design. Nature-inclusive building contributes to a healthier living environment, a climate-resilient built environment, better air quality, and a more enjoyable living space.

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Net Zero means that total greenhouse gas emissions are reduced to net zero. This is achieved by preventing and reducing emissions as much as possible, after which any remaining emissions are offset or sustainably removed from the atmosphere. Net Zero is a key principle in international climate goals and sustainable construction.

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Ocean plastic is plastic made from plastic waste collected from oceans and coastal areas. It prevents further contamination and gives waste a second life. Ocean plastic is increasingly being used in products and interiors.

A form of recycling where materials are processed into raw materials for uses other than those for which they were originally intended. The material quality often decreases here (downcycling), so that the material is used less efficiently and can usually be recycled less often. It is often used in mixed or difficult to separate material flows.

Paris Proof means that buildings meet the climate goals of the Paris Agreement. This requires very low CO₂ emissions. Paris Proof is used as a guideline for future-proof construction.

Value preservation is the ability of a product or material to maintain its functional, aesthetic, and economic value. This prevents premature replacement and waste. In circular applications, value retention is an important design criterion.

Product-as-a-Service is a business model that focuses on use rather than ownership. The manufacturer remains responsible for maintenance and longevity. This encourages circular use.

Quality Assurance (QA) encompasses the processes and measures used to ensure the quality of products, materials, and operations. Through standardized procedures, inspections, and continuous improvement, errors are prevented and processes are kept under control. Quality Assurance contributes to consistent quality throughout the entire project. Standards such as ISO 9001 (quality management systems) and ISO 10006 (quality management in projects) play a key role in this.

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Lowest step of the R ladder: recovering energy from waste through incineration when reuse or recycling is no longer possible. Material is lost here, but the energy value is used.

Recycled aluminum is aluminum from reuse. Production requires up to 95% less energy than new aluminium. The material can be recycled without restrictions.

Recycled steel is produced from secondary raw materials. It saves up to 75% of energy compared to primary steel production. Recycled steel maintains its technical quality.

Low step of the R ladder: processing waste materials into secondary raw materials for new products. The process includes collection, sorting and processing, usually requires energy and can involve loss of quality (downcycling), so high-quality reuse is often preferred.

High step in the R ladder: (re) designing products and interiors to reduce material use and increase circularity. The focus is on modular construction, disassembly, reuse, longer lifespan and reduction of primary material use.

High step in the R ladder: minimizing material and energy use by designing, producing and using more efficiently. Often combined with lower steps such as Re-use and Repair, for example by using fewer materials, choosing lighter structures and integrating existing parts.

Medium step in the R ladder: refurbishing and partially renewing a product while retaining its original function. Examples include refinishing furniture, replacing fronts or renewing upholstery.

Highest step of the R ladder: avoiding the use of materials by not purchasing products or raw materials when they are not needed. Focuses on prevention at source, for example by solving functions differently (shared use, digitization) or retaining existing elements.

Regenerative design is a design approach that focuses on restoring and strengthening natural systems. It goes beyond limiting damage. Regenerative design actively contributes to ecological and social improvement.

Lower middle step in the R ladder: manufacturing a product with recycled parts to a level comparable to new. Components are disassembled, checked and reassembled; often with replacement of wear parts. This method is similar to revising a product.

Renewable raw materials are materials that can renew themselves within a short period of time. Examples include wood and biopolymers. They contribute to a more sustainable use of raw materials. The difference with bio-based is that renewable raw materials can also contain non-living substances such as water and clay.

The renovation cycle is the period in which a building or interior is renewed. This cycle influences material selection. Shorter cycles require flexible solutions.

Medium step in the R ladder: repairing defective products so that they can be reused.

Lower middle step in the R ladder: repurposing products or parts for a function other than originally intended. This preserves the material, but the application changes, so it is lower on the ladder than reuse while maintaining function.

Residual stream processing is about processing leftover materials. Good processing reduces waste. It contributes to the circular use of materials.

Residual value is the value that a product or material retains after use. This value can be economic or functional. Residual value plays an important role in circular business models.

Medium step in the R ladder: the reuse of products or parts in their original function without extensive processing. This extends the lifespan and prevents the use of new materials.