Pioneer of circular concrete construction receives Swedish Concrete Award 2025

The award ceremony took place on 23 October 2025 as part of Betongdagen - one of the most important trade events of the Swedish Concrete Association of the Swedish concrete industry. The jury honoured Prof. Mettke for her many years of commitment and exceptional achievements in the further development of the reuse of precast concrete elements.

Prof. Angelika Mettke began researching and applying methods for the reuse of load-bearing concrete elements from demolished buildings more than three decades ago - at a time when both the concepts of the circular economy and the sustainable use of resources were not yet anchored in the broad specialist discourse. In particular, she recognised the potential of this approach early on in the context of the scarcity of resources in the former GDR.

Through numerous realised pilot and construction projects - including single and multi-family houses, communal facilities and garages - Prof. Mettke showed that the reuse of concrete components is both technically reliable and architecturally versatile. Her pioneering work has made a significant contribution to laying the foundations for today's research and practice in the field of circular concrete construction.

About the award

The Swedish Concrete Award has been presented since 1985. The proceeds are used to fund specialist lectures to which recognised experts are invited. The award honours personalities from the construction and engineering industries whose work provides important impetus for innovation and the further development of the concrete industry.