What contribution can heritage conservation and restoration science make in view of the worsening climate situation, the scarcity of resources and the energy crisis? We asked experts from various disciplines to comment on this. Read the statement by Ralph-Uwe Johann, owner and managing director of Deffner & Johann, Röthlein, here

What contribution can heritage conservation and restoration science make in view of the worsening climate situation, the scarcity of resources and the energy crisis? We asked experts from various disciplines to comment on this. Read the statement by Ralph-Uwe Johann, owner and managing director of Deffner & Johann, Röthlein, here

Multiple crises are currently forcing us to rethink. There are pandemics, floods, forest fires and war. How do we want to live and build in the future? We are facing many new challenges that require complex considerations and solutions. And it is precisely here that the knowledge and skills of the diverse and interdisciplinary field of heritage conservation are in demand. What contribution can heritage conservation and restoration science make in view of the worsening climate situation, the scarcity of resources and the energy crisis? We asked experts from various disciplines about this. You can read the answers in our new online series Zukunft Baukultur. Every week, we publish a specialist statement on www.restauro.de. Here isthe statement from Ralph-Uwe Johann, owner and managing director of Deffner & Johann, Röthlein

In view of the worsening climate situation, scarcity of resources and energy crisis, both specialist retailers and manufacturers are increasingly responsible for selling ecologically compatible products and providing information on correct and resource-saving processing. Deffner & Johann also sets this standard for itself and, with a view to environmental protection, tries to offer environmentally conscious solutions whenever possible. Conservation and restoration can make a significant contribution to the sustainable use of resources. The preservation and conversion of existing monuments offer enormous potential for saving building materials and energy as well as reducing CO2 emissions.

Furthermore, materials in their traditional use are often significantly more sustainable when the entire life cycle is considered. Traditional binder systems, such as lime or linseed oil, not only offer an advantageous eco-balance, but are also often more resource-efficient in terms of production and maintenance. A few years ago, these were still considered complicated to work with compared to “convenience products” from the building materials industry and were removed from the curricula of technical colleges. Today, they are often regarded as modern or innovative in Europe and presented by leading planners and architects as a solution for sustainable construction. Specialist companies in the preservation and restoration of historical monuments could even contribute their knowledge advantage in the processing of corresponding products. As an internationally active specialist wholesaler for materials, tools and equipment in the field of restoration and monument conservation, we also always ensure that transport is optimized for the supply chain and that resources are used in an environmentally conscious manner.