Responding to urgent needs in a heavily affected region
When buildings are damaged in war, the most urgent repairs are often the most basic. Broken windows result in cold classrooms, unsafe hospital environments and homes that cannot be used. In Kharkiv, one of Ukraine’s most heavily affected regions, the need for replacement windows has been substantial since the full‑scale invasion began.
Reused materials that enable swift restoration
Demontera, with Business Development Manager Jiannis Tatsidis leading the initiative, has delivered approximately 2,000 reused windows from Sweden to Ukrainian municipalities. The windows were donated to support the rapid restoration of essential community infrastructure in areas impacted by the war.
Circular construction that strengthens long‑term recovery
The initiative shows how Swedish circular construction expertise can support immediate reconstruction needs while also contributing to more resource‑efficient development over the longer term.
Enabling communities to rebuild essential infrastructure
Since the full‑scale invasion, Ukrainian municipalities have experienced extensive damage to public infrastructure and housing. Damage to windows and façades is particularly common, affecting safety, indoor climate and the ability to maintain essential public services.
Deliveries have been made through donations from Swedish property projects, where fully functional building materials have been redirected to reconstruction efforts instead of being discarded.
These shipments have made it possible to bring damaged buildings back into use more quickly while also contributing to Ukraine’s long‑term rebuilding.Turning demolition material into a resource
In Sweden, large quantities of building materials – including windows and glass partitions – are removed during property renovations and tenant adaptations. Although these materials are often fully functional, they frequently become waste due to storage costs and logistical challenges.
Demontera specialises in dismantling building components in a way that preserves their functionality. Instead of being discarded, windows are carefully removed, sorted, palletised and documented for reuse. Through this process, materials that would otherwise become waste in Sweden can be redirected to regions with reconstruction needs. This creates new value through both resource efficiency and international collaboration.
Logistics, verification and trusted partnerships
Delivering physical construction materials to a war‑affected country comes with extensive logistical and administrative challenges. Ensuring that shipments reach legitimate recipients and are used as intended is critical.
Business Sweden’s office in Kyiv has supported the process by verifying Ukrainian partner organisations, providing additional assurance regarding recipient credibility. The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency has contributed to enabling the transport framework. Demontera has been responsible for dismantling, packaging, documentation and export preparation in Sweden. The company now aims to further develop the model and deliver additional donated windows and doors during 2026.
This coordinated approach has helped ensure that municipalities with urgent needs can be reached quickly and has been crucial in enabling schools, hospitals and residential buildings to return to use.
Circular solutions supporting Ukraine’s broader reconstruction
The deliveries to Kharkiv illustrate how reuse can be integrated into larger reconstruction programmes and contribute to scalable, cost‑effective solutions.
For Ukraine, reconstruction is not a future phase – it is underway. For Swedish companies, engaging now offers both an opportunity to support Ukraine’s recovery and a chance to establish a foothold in a future market.
Beyond the immediate impact, the initiative highlights the role circular business models can play in Ukraine’s broader rebuilding effort. Ukraine’s reconstruction is expected to become one of Europe’s largest infrastructure and construction programmes in modern history. Alongside new investments, resource‑efficient approaches – including the reuse of building materials – can help reduce costs, accelerate rebuilding and lower environmental impact.
Swedish companies have significant potential to contribute, and Business Sweden is ready to support Swedish actors regardless of project size.
About the company
Demontera AB is a Swedish company specialising in circular construction, with expertise in dismantling, reuse and logistics of building materials. By preserving components such as windows, façade elements and interior systems during renovation projects, the company helps property owners reduce waste, lower climate impact and extend the lifecycle of existing materials.