Swedish Firm Cuts Building Emissions 75% Through Reuse

Indoor climate company Swegon just slashed building emissions by 75% using a simple idea: fix what already exists instead of buying new.

In their first full circular project across multiple buildings in central Sweden, the company replaced traditional renovation with smart reuse. Old air handling units got new life through factory upgrades, onsite refurbishments, and strategic replacements with equipment made from recycled steel.

The transformation happened fast. Installation company Brion Teknik Fyrbodal worked with minimal disruption, swapping outdated systems for refurbished units that perform like new. One air handling unit that had served for years got replaced with a previously used unit that Swegon reclaimed, quality checked, and upgraded at their factory in Kvänum.

The math is stunning. By combining reused equipment, upgraded existing products, and smarter manufacturing, the project achieved the same indoor climate quality as a traditional renovation but with 75% less embodied carbon.

Swegon CEO Eva Karlsson calls it proof that the industry can rethink both new construction and renovation. "By making better use of what already exists, we can achieve both climate targets and high operational performance in far more resource efficient ways," she says.

The Ripple Effect

The real estate sector just got a blueprint for meeting climate goals without sacrificing quality. Swegon backs their reused products with the same warranties as new equipment, proving circular solutions aren't compromises.

Installation companies are paying attention. Fredrik Hennström, CEO of Brion Teknik Fyrbodal, sees massive potential not just in existing buildings but new construction too. The model works because it makes economic and environmental sense simultaneously.

With 23 production plants globally and over 4,100 employees, Swegon is scaling this approach across their operations. Circularity Director Caroline Jacobsson emphasizes that choosing reuse isn't settling for less. These products get quality assurance and upgrades that make them perform identically to new equipment.

The project proves buildings don't need virgin materials to deliver comfort and performance. Every refurbished unit is one less manufactured from scratch, cutting emissions while maintaining the indoor climate people depend on.

Sweden just showed the construction world how to build better by building less.