Sector structure It experienced a period of prosperity (before the 2008 crisis) due to increased demand. Along with population growth, families have also changed: Three generations no longer live under the same roof. The economy smiles at the dynamism of brick companies, but at the same time the environment cries. greenhouse gases, use of water and energy resources, as well as changes in the region and waste generation These are some of the problems created by this activity. But there are solutions to lighten this footprint on the planet.
It will be necessary to implement a shock plan with different approaches to reduce the damage to ecosystems caused by construction activities. One of these foundations will be the use of sustainable materials. To achieve this goal, The most urgent thing should be to find a compound to replace concrete. According to the latest data published in the ‘Making a Concrete Change’ report, 4 billion tonnes are produced worldwide every year. Production of its main ‘substance’, Cement represents approximately 7% of global CO2 emissions. Approximately 30 cement factories are registered in Spain.
Although there are many ongoing projects to find innovative, affordable and environmentally friendly materials, the most realistic thing today is to resort to ingredients that are well-known but have been pushed into the background with the rise of other industrial preparations. «The alternative lies in the recovery of the use of traditional materials with a low ecological footprint.such as wood and its derivatives, insulation derived from clay, soil, stone and plant fibres,” states Mínima, an ecological and sustainable architecture studio based in Madrid. Those responsible also say that this paradigm shift is “moving towards a constructive approach that minimizes environmental impact.” They also add that “it is necessary for
algal cement
in Europe, 20% of pollutant emissions come from the construction sector and manufacturing industries and 10% of this percentage is related to the extraction and production of materials. The solution that scientists have put on the table is a compound that will ‘compensate’ for this load throughout its lifetime. About biocement, A preparation that works exactly the same as the original, but with the addition of bacteria and microalgae. These living organisms often remain in a hibernation-like state. When water is filtered and exposed to sunlight they ‘reactivate’ and carry out photosynthesis. Like other plants, they capture carbon dioxide in this process. It sounds like science fiction, but it works. More Bacteria can survive in this state for more than two centuries.
This is not the only benefit that makes biocement a promising material. Environmental pros aside, it’s very interesting from a purely constructive point of view. The benefit that stands out above all others is ‘self-healing’ abilities. In other words, it is to close the cracks that form over time (always less than 8 millimeters).. In addition, these creatures absorb water, preventing it from penetrating the structure and causing serious damage. We should also add fireproofing and insulation properties, both thermally and acoustically, to the list of advantages.
Graphene is a reality
Graphene tops the list of materials called “smart and sustainable” and has already become a reality in the field of electronics. It is obtained from graphite and is essentially pure carbon.. Since it is present in many elements in nature, it is very simple and low-cost to obtain. Its qualities are impressive: It has 200 times the strength of steel (but is also very elastic) and increases the lightness of aluminum by five times. Likewise, it conducts heat and electricity.
Its use in construction has been researched for years. Scientists assure that its universalization will help create buildings that are better insulated and more resistant to climate, moisture and even fire.. It can also be used in the installation of solar panels, which will increase the energy efficiency of buildings. But in addition to all this, graphene is the key to achieving ‘green concrete’. Like? Mixing with water and adding the resulting product to traditional cement elements.
This ‘green concrete’ thus achieves all these benefits of graphene; A ‘super material’ twice as strong as conventional, more waterproofing and ecological. Because less cement is needed to produce the same amount of concrete, pollutant emissions are falling rapidly.
Recycling is an important step
Most of the research coming from the academic world trying to find this definitive material has something in common. Almost all start from the premise Waste Management and in this way they achieve a double positive effect: they improve waste management and take another step towards sustainable construction. In this field, the University of Jaén has a very important role with many open fronts.
Carmen Martínez is part of the projectNew green materials from construction and demolition waste‘, a plan that aims to find “an efficient, sustainable and innovative solution for construction and demolition waste”. Particularly responsible They are trying to produce other materials that can be “absorbed” again by the industry.
It is also a key part of the ‘Circular engineering from waste to sustainable material’ initiative, a scheme that uses this waste as key assets. granite and slate cutting muds; Aggregate washing sludge, biomass fly ash and organic wasteIt serves to develop “high value-added materials and structured absorber systems for capturing CO2”, such as dust from the manufacture of cork stoppers or coffee grounds.
That is why the director of the Research Results Transfer Office at the University of Jaén emphasizes the importance of the circular economy. It breaks away from the negative spiral of “extract, produce and dispose.”
«The use of waste is presented as the basis for the creation of more environmentally friendly compounds. “By applying its principles and using circular engineering based on technological nutrients, Carmen Martínez is redefining the way we perceive production and consumption,” he says.
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REPORT. Justo García Navarro, architect and professor at the Polytechnic University of Madrid
«We should build as little as possible and reuse what exists as much as possible»
European project ‘Csto2ne’ copies nature-based models to make construction more sustainable
-What is the role of the circular economy in the search for sustainability?
-Circular economy aims to ensure that there is no waste and that all materials entering the production chain make the best use of their life. Thus, emissions are limited and maximum performance is achieved from all elements. This is something that covers all sectors.
-What about construction?
-We must start from the beginning: building as little ‘ex novo’ as possible and reusing as much of what exists as possible. In this way, new materials are not consumed and the life of the existing heritage is extended. This also includes buildings that have reached the end of their useful life and need to be demolished. This is where our interest in recycling and proposing alternatives will come into play.
-Is it economically profitable?
-The important thing is separation at the origin. Steel, wood or glass can be easily separated during the construction process. That’s why they’re so reusable. These are removed and transferred directly into the production chain. These processes are sometimes very simple and sometimes very expensive. However, I believe that accounting should not only be economic, but also environmental and reflect the benefits it produces for society.
-Has it been implemented?
-Despite the decline in Spain, we are in the middle level. There are more traditions in the Netherlands, Belgium or Northern Europe, but this is due to the policies implemented. In the Netherlands they have always struggled to reclaim land from the sea because they have so little space and cannot afford to have large tracts of land dedicated to waste collection.
-What does the csto2ne project consist of?
-The main goal is not to develop new products, but to promote international and interdisciplinary cooperation. It helps researchers from all over Europe to stay in centers or companies working in similar directions. Also always develop prototypes and technologies that can be transferred to industry, with the idea of replicating the behavior of living organisms in inert materials.
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