ABSTRACT
Conventional glass glazing does not align with the principles of a circular economy, as transparent flat glass is typically produced from virgin material and downcycled or landfilled at the end of its life. This research investigates the potential of 3D-printed polymer façades (3DPFs) to improve façade circularity. The Product Circularity Indicator (PCI) was used to assess the circularity of 18 3DPF scenarios, as well as three conventional façades made of glass blocks, channel glass, and polycarbonate. The analysis shows that 3DPFs achieve a higher PCI compared to the conventional alternatives in four scenarios, which involve at least 50% recycled input material, 100% recycling at end of life, and lifespans of 5 to 15 years. 3DPFs also score better than glass block and channel glass facades in disassembly potential, a subcomponent of the PCI, though they offer little advantage over polycarbonate façades. Although not demonstrated in the results, it is suggested that 3DPFs may offer a unique circularity advantage when made of small batches of locally recycled, abundant waste materials, and in turn recycled in a closed-loop manner. This research contributes to the search for circular façade options, and can inform the development of circular 3DPFs.
