The Carbon and Circularity Case for UK Formwork Strategy

Carbon reporting and supply chain transparency are becoming more common in construction procurement, particularly on projects with specific sustainability requirements. For contractors working towards carbon-reduction targets, formwork strategy is one area where material selection, equipment lifespan and recovery can influence how resources are used throughout a project.

At Doka, our approach covers the materials we use, how equipment is supplied and maintained, and the data available to help customers make decisions. This article looks at how these areas relate to formwork planning in the UK, and where they can make a practical difference.

Sustainability in UK construction: The current picture

Contractors are facing greater scrutiny of their own emissions, with clients and principal contractors also looking at the environmental impact of their supply chains. Carbon reporting, waste reduction and supply chain transparency are becoming more familiar features of public and private sector procurement.

Formwork has a part to play. Equipment can be used across multiple projects over several years, so its overall impact depends on the materials used, how long it remains in service, and what happens when it needs repairing, refurbishing or replacing.

Doka has committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and is working towards independent validation of its climate targets, which cover Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. Our target is to achieve Net Zero by 2040. For customers with their own carbon-reduction commitments, understanding the progress of suppliers is one part of assessing their wider supply chain.

Extending service life through refurbishment

Keeping formwork in service for longer can reduce the need to replace equipment with new material. Doka teams inspect and repair used formwork to return it to operational condition, extending the working life of existing equipment.

This applies to both owned and rented equipment. Depending on its condition, refurbishing a system can offer an alternative to replacement, helping contractors make better use of the materials and equipment already available to them.

The environmental benefit depends on the equipment involved, the work required and the alternative being considered. However, refurbishment gives contractors another option when planning how their formwork will be maintained and used over time.

Rental as a circular business model

Doka offers new and used equipment for sale, alongside rental for projects where purchasing formwork outright may not be the preferred option.

Rental allows contractors to access the equipment they need for a particular project or phase of work, then return it when it's no longer required. Equipment can subsequently be made available for other projects, extending its use beyond a single contractor or site.

For projects with changing requirements, this offers flexibility in how formwork is sourced and managed. It also provides a route for equipment to remain in circulation, although the overall environmental benefit depends on factors such as transport, maintenance and how frequently the equipment is used.

Concremote: Data-based pouring and striking decisions

Concremote monitors concrete maturity in real time using sensors that track temperature and strength development. The resulting data helps site teams assess when concrete has reached the required strength for striking formwork, rather than relying solely on conservative programme assumptions.

This information can make a practical difference to site planning. When teams have a clearer picture of concrete strength development, they can make informed decisions about striking times and subsequent construction activities. Depending on the conditions and the results, this can reduce unnecessary waiting and help make more efficient use of formwork, labour and plant.

Concrete maturity monitoring therefore has a place in discussions about resource efficiency. Better-informed striking decisions can help contractors plan the movement and reuse of formwork equipment, while maintaining the strength requirements of the structure.

Learn more about Concremote here

Xlife Top: A recyclable formwork sheet

Launched at bauma 2025, Xlife Top is a formwork sheet with a core incorporating recycled plastic. Designed to be 100% recyclable, it offers another approach to material use and end-of-life recovery in formwork.

Traditional timber-based plywood sheets can absorb moisture and swell with repeated use, potentially affecting surface quality and service life. Xlife Top takes a different approach, combining a recycled-plastic core with a design intended to support durability and material recovery.

At the end of its service life, the sheet's recovered material can be shredded and reused in the core, reducing reliance on recycled plastic sourced externally. This supports a more circular approach to material use.

Xlife Top has a 39% lower Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) per m² and month of use than a conventional plywood panel. This comparison takes account of the product's extended service life as well as its recycled-plastic core, making the period of use an important part of the assessment.

The product will be introduced gradually across the UK, with the sheet incorporated into several Doka formwork systems over the coming years through end-of-life replacement or refurbishment.

Product Carbon Footprint data: Transparency built in

Choosing materials with a lower carbon footprint starts with having information that allows products to be assessed and compared. Doka provides verified Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) data for more than 9,000 products, giving customers access to carbon information across its portfolio.

This data can help contractors compare the carbon footprints of different Doka formwork options during procurement, inform sustainability assessments and provide supporting information to clients and principal contractors evaluating material choices. Where the available data and assessment allow, it can also contribute to a comparison of refurbishment and replacement.

Having this information available can make carbon considerations easier to include in product selection, alongside factors such as performance, cost and suitability for the project.

PCF data is available on request for customers assessing their options and is included with invoices as standard for customers already using Doka equipment.

Learn more about the latest update here

Doka's position on UK Net Zero

The UK has a target to reach Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. For construction, progress towards that goal involves looking at emissions across the supply chain, including the materials and equipment used on site.

Doka's own climate commitments include a Net Zero target for 2040 covering Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, alongside its commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative. We track our Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF) annually to monitor progress against these ambitions.

Our wider approach also includes refurbishment and rental, product development and the use of recycled materials, including metals and plastics. These areas relate to different stages of the formwork lifecycle, from the materials used in manufacture to the continued use and recovery of equipment.

For customers reviewing the environmental credentials of their suppliers, this information provides context for understanding Doka's commitments and monitoring progress over time.

Learn more about the latest update here