Creating a sustainable and modern workplace

Sandvik partnered with property owner Alecta Fastigheter, a real estate company owned by Alecta, and circularity consultant Cirkulära for the 2023-2024 office renovation with the aim to reduce environmental impact while creating a modern, employee-centered workspace.

Sustainable office renovation at Sandvik

As part of the Sandvik commitment to sustainability, the renovation demonstrated how responsible renovations are possible through material reuse, smart technology, and landfill-free demolition.

"We wanted to create a modern workplace with sustainability at its core. By reusing materials and reducing waste, we’ve shown that renovating responsibly is both possible and impactful," says Mats W Lundberg, Head of Sustainability at Sandvik

Key sustainability achievements

Maximizing material reuse:

• A total of 2,909 building components were carefully dismantled for reuse, preventing 92,255 kg of CO₂ emissions that would have been generated if replaced with new materials.
• Of this, components totaling 58,519 kg CO₂ emissions were reused by Sandvik, giving the materials a second life instead of becoming waste. The remaining components were stored by Alecta, of which 50 percent were repurposed in other Alecta renovations, while the rest were sent for recycling.
• The 58,519 kg CO₂ emissions saved through the Sandvik reuse is equivalent to preventing the production of over 700,000 plastic bottles.

Zero landfill waste:

• No demolition waste was sent to landfill.

Smart material tracking with RFID:

• Sandvik implemented Cirkulära’s RFID-based system to track and manage building materials during renovation. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) uses small electronic tags with unique IDs, which are attached to tools, materials, and assets such as doors, glass panels, and ceiling tiles. With these tags data can be transmitted wirelessly to a digital system, allowing the renovation team to log and monitor each component in real time. This ensured efficient material reuse, either within the new Sandvik office or in other renovation projects at WTC.

The project did involve additional costs, approximately SEK 750,000 more than a traditional demolition, due to the careful deconstruction and tracking processes. However, these efforts resulted in significant long-term benefits, including reduced material waste, lower transportation emissions, and a significantly smaller carbon footprint.

A workplace designed for collaboration and well-being

Beyond sustainability, the renovation was designed to enhance the employee experience. The transformation of the office space reflects the Sandvik commitment to providing a flexible and inspiring work environment.

"A workplace should inspire collaboration, creativity, and a sense of belonging. By designing a flexible and engaging environment, we’ve created a space where employees feel comfortable, motivated, and proud to work," says Marta Hafzelius, part of the renovation project team and Vice President Group Reporting and Consolidation at Sandvik

Key office enhancements

• Office occupancy increased from an estimate of 42 percent (January 2023) to 61 percent (January 2025), demonstrating greater employee engagement and office appeal.
• In 2022, only 48 percent of employees felt the office reflected the Sandvik brand. By 2024, 88 percent agreed that the renovated space aligns with the brand’s identity.
• The revamped office is also a space employees take pride in. In 2024, 90 percent of employees agreed that they are proud to show the office to customers and colleagues from other locations, with no negative responses recorded.
• The office design embraces a hybrid work style, balancing open collaboration spaces with quiet zones for focused work and workstation plug and play-solutions, ensuring flexibility for employees.
• Smart office solutions, ergonomic furniture, and improved lighting were implemented to boost efficiency and well-being.

"The positive feedback from employees confirms that we’ve created a space that truly supports the way we work today. The improved layout, natural lighting, and sustainability focus have made the office a more attractive and functional place to collaborate and connect," says Georg Taschner, part of the renovation project team and Facility Manager at Sandvik

A sustainable and future-ready workplace

The renovated headquarters shows that sustainability and a great work environment can go hand in hand. By reusing materials, reducing waste, and creating a flexible, welcoming space, Sandvik has built an office that supports both the planet and its people. The result is a modern workplace designed for collaboration, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.