Sorigué is participating in Reconstruct, a project that aims to produce sustainable materials for the construction sector using its own waste. The European Union has invested almost six million euros into this international research, with the objective of producing products with low carbon emissions as an alternative to cement and steel, manufacturing modular construction components with recycled materials and integrating deconstruction into the design of buildings.

The Catalonia Institute of Construction Technology (ITeC) heads up this consortium composed of 16 institutions from five countries that are involved in the project, one of which being Sorigué. The group’s participation involves training artificial intelligence to automatically record material flows, in addition to producing prefabricated parts that will be installed at a demonstration site in Castillo de Mogoda in the Province of Barcelona.

Less waste, new materials

In the first phase, Reconstruct will use digital tools, such as an ad-hoc tracker, to identify, quantify and evaluate waste that may be suitable for manufacturing new components.

It will then focus on replacing steel and ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with alternatives that have low carbon emissions and/or integrate these traditional materials into reusable construction components. The goal is to produce on-site components, prefabricated parts and panels that can be dismantled, repaired and reused; a truly virtuous cycle where materials generate a high-value chain for all the actors involved in the construction process.

Reconstruct will validate its proposal through the construction of two prototype buildings, the first at the Green Energy Park in Brussels and the second at Mogoda Castle in the province of Barcelona. The aim is to make this project a real paradigm shift, with researchers creating a base model for a new generation of circular construction works. For these tests, materials, components and cutting-edge tools will be used with the support of authorities and economic and industrial leaders that will ensure that the entire process is fully circular.

Innovation and sustainability

It is estimated that the construction sector is responsible for 30% of the extraction of natural resources worldwide, 25% of solid waste production and 40% of greenhouse gas emissions. In this context, Reconstruct is proposed as an innovative option due to its capacity to create new inputs for the industry with a process that helps to mitigate its own environmental impact.

And although the industry recovers over 70% of its waste, only a very small fraction is recycled in buildings. So, with such a dynamic and constantly growing sector, the possibility of achieving full circularity in its processes seems entirely feasible.

“With innovative projects like Reconstruct, not only do we build structures, but we contribute towards creating a more sustainable world where we optimise use of resources, minimise waste and protect the health of our planet for future generations”, underlines José Lucas Masero, coordinator at Reconstruct and sustainability researcher at the Catalonia Institute of Construction Technology (ITeC).