Shaping the future of demolition and recycling

The World Demolition Summit 2024 (WDS) takes place in Stockholm, Sweden, in early November and the global demolition and recycling industries are eagerly anticipating an event that promises to be as groundbreaking as ever. With a packed agenda of forward-thinking presentations, technical case studies and discussions of the latest trends, this year’s summit is set to provide crucial insights into a rapidly evolving sector.

The WDS has become one of the premier international events for the demolition industry. It brings together professionals from around the world to discuss challenges, celebrate successes and learn from the latest innovations. Leila Steed, the event organiser and editor of Demolition & Recycling International, has meticulously planned a dynamic programme aimed at ensuring that WDS remains relevant to the industry’s needs.

To be held on November 6 and 7, 2024, this year’s WDS aims to attract some 350 attendees. As registration is still open, last-minute participants are expected to increase these numbers. The summit draws professionals from across the demolition and recycling sectors, including engineers, contractors, project managers, machine operators and even apprentices. Most attendees come from North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, while South America and India represent emerging markets that are increasingly becoming significant players in the industry.

One of the primary goals of the summit is to promote knowledge sharing - delivering practical information that industry professionals can take back to their workplaces. To this end, the summit will include case studies from contractors who have tackled challenging demolition projects. These presentations provide invaluable insights into technical complexities, safety considerations and innovative problem-solving strategies used in real-world scenarios.

Topics at the forefront of the industry

WDS 2024’s agenda features a wide range of topics that address the pressing issues of today’s demolition and recycling sectors. This year, particular focus is being placed on sustainability, technology advancements and legal frameworks.

Some of the standout presentations include - Ensuring Circularity Through Strategic Demolition Practices. This paper highlights how companies can integrate circular economy principles into their demolition processes, ensuring that materials are reused or recycled to reduce waste.

Managing safety and reducing risks in power plant demolitions will also be discussed together with the implications of new laws on selective demolition, which will explore recent legislative changes that impact selective demolition practices.

The keynote speaker, Mark Coleman of Coleman’s, will tackle themes around Modern Thinking. Coleman’s talk will delve into how companies and individuals can adapt to evolving industry needs, with a particular focus on sustainability and meaningful work. By addressing both the environmental and people-centric aspects of demolition, Coleman’s keynote sets the stage for thoughtful dialogue on the future of the industry.

In addition to the keynote speakers, there will be case studies that promise to offer practical insights. These presentations will feature contractors who have successfully completed high-profile and technically complex demolition projects. Notably, Ontario-based Priestly Demolition, who is on the shortlist for two awards. Priestly’s work on dismantling the Calgary Glenbow Museum’s northeast stairwell (in the Contract Under US$1M category) will be featured, offering a glimpse into how the company navigated intricate safety and logistical challenges on a relatively small-scale but demanding project.

The role of technology in demolition

One of the most exciting trends in the demolition industry is the integration of advanced technology to improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability. At WDS 2024, discussions around automation, robotics, and drone technology are expected to take centre stage. Many companies are already using drones for site inspections and surveying, significantly reducing risks to human workers and enabling faster data collection.

Additionally, innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are also set to transform the sector, allowing demolition companies to improve project management, monitor structural integrity, and optimise the use of resources during demolition processes.

Demolition awards 2024

On the evening of November 7, the World Demolition Awards will honour outstanding achievements within the industry. The awards highlight projects that showcase excellence in demolition, engineering and sustainability. This year, Priestly Demolition and Delsan-AIM are notable contenders.

Priestly Demolition is nominated in two categories: the Contract Over US$1M category for its work on the UF6 Building 27, Cameco Conversion Facility, and in the Contract Under US$1M category for the Glenbow Museum project. Delsan-AIM, based in Montreal, is nominated in the Civils category for its work on the Champlain Bridge Deconstruction.

These projects exemplify the technical skill, strategic planning, and innovation that the awards seek to recognize, and the winners will help set the bar for future industry standards.