Sector structure and the shift toward greener building
The sector saw a period of prosperity fueled by rising demand and population growth. As households increasingly spread across generations who no longer share one roof, construction activity surged. The economy benefited from the momentum of brick companies, yet the environmental toll grew too. Emissions of greenhouse gases, higher water and energy use, shifting regional landscapes, and waste generation marked the footprint of this activity. Fortunately, viable solutions exist to lessen the planet’s burden without stalling development.
To protect ecosystems, a practical plan is needed with multiple approaches that reduce the environmental impact of construction. A pivotal foundation is the adoption of sustainable materials. The urgent task is to identify a concrete substitute. Recent data highlighted in the Making a Concrete Change report show global cement production reaching about 4 billion tonnes per year, with cement alone accounting for roughly 7 percent of worldwide CO2 emissions. In Spain, around 30 cement factories are registered.
Across ongoing projects, researchers are pursuing innovative, affordable, and ecologically friendly materials. Yet a realistic path remains grounded in familiar ingredients that have been sidelined by new industrial options. An ecological and sustainable architecture studio based in Madrid notes that the alternative lies in reviving traditional materials with a low ecological footprint such as wood and its derivatives, clay-based insulation, soil, stone, and plant fibers. The message from practitioners is clear: a shift toward a constructive approach that minimizes environmental impact is underway and must continue.
algal cement
In Europe, 20 percent of pollutant emissions come from construction and manufacturing, with about 10 percent tied to material extraction and production. Scientists propose a compound that offsets this load over its lifetime. Biocement introduces living bacteria and microalgae into the mix. These organisms enter a dormant state until water is filtered and sunlight activates them. Through photosynthesis they capture carbon dioxide, offering a practical, science-based solution that remains effective for centuries. Bacteria can survive in this suspended state for over two centuries.
Biocement brings more than environmental benefits. From a construction standpoint, its standout feature is self-healing ability, which helps seal cracks smaller than eight millimeters over time. It also absorbs water to prevent penetration and damage, and it provides fireproofing and insulation properties, both thermal and acoustic, enhancing overall performance.
Graphene becomes a tangible factor
Graphene sits at the forefront of smart and sustainable materials and has moved from electronics to broad architectural potential. Derived from graphite, it is essentially pure carbon and is abundant in nature, making it relatively easy and inexpensive to obtain. Its properties are remarkable: it is about 200 times stronger than steel, yet highly flexible, and it can dramatically reduce the weight of aluminum. It also excels at conducting heat and electricity.
Its use in construction has been explored for years. Experts anticipate that widespread adoption will lead to buildings that are better insulated, more resistant to climate, moisture, and fire, and better suited to integrate solar energy systems. Graphene is central to achieving green concrete by blending with water and enabling its incorporation into traditional cement formulations. The result is a concrete that is stronger, more waterproof, and environmentally friendlier, with lower cement requirements and thus reduced emissions.
Recycling as a cornerstone
Much research in academia converges on waste management as a starting point for sustainable materials. The aim is to deliver a double win: improved waste handling and advances in sustainable construction. The University of Jaén plays a significant role with multiple open projects. A notable initiative focuses on new green materials from construction and demolition waste, seeking efficient, sustainable, and innovative solutions for construction and demolition debris and finding ways to reabsorb these materials into industry.
Another major program promotes circular engineering from waste to sustainable material. It uses granite and slate cutting muds, aggregate washing sludge, biomass fly ash, and organic waste to develop high value material systems and structured absorbers for capturing CO2. This includes cork stopper dust and coffee grounds as examples of usable waste. The director of the University of Jaén Research Results Transfer Office emphasizes that circular economy breaks the old loop of extract, produce, dispose. Waste becomes a resource for new, environmentally friendlier compounds. Applying circular engineering and technological nutrients reshapes production and consumption practices.
What follows is a call to rethink how products are designed and used in industry, with a strong preference for reusing what exists rather than creating new material from scratch.
European project CSto2ne explores nature inspired models to make construction more sustainable
What is the role of the circular economy in sustainability efforts?
Circular economy aims to eliminate waste and maximize the value of materials entering the production chain, thereby reducing emissions and boosting performance across sectors.
What about construction?
Construction should begin by building as little anew as possible and reusing what already exists. This strategy extends the life of existing structures and reduces the demand for new materials, while recycling end-of-life buildings becomes an integral part of the plan. This is where recycling and alternatives take center stage.
Is it economically viable?
Separation at the source matters most. Steel, wood, and glass separate easily during construction and feed directly back into the production chain. Some processes are straightforward, others costly, but the environmental and societal benefits must be weighed alongside the economics.
Has it been implemented widely?
Spain has seen a decline, yet Northern Europe shows higher adoption due to supportive policies. The Netherlands, Belgium, and neighboring regions have long pursued reclaiming land and recycling to maximize space and resources.
What does the CSto2ne project involve?
The main aim is not to create new products alone but to promote international and interdisciplinary cooperation. It helps researchers across Europe stay connected in centers and companies pursuing similar directions, continually developing prototypes and technologies that can be transferred to industry to replicate the behavior of living organisms in inert materials.
This reflects a broader trend toward sustainable practice and cross-border collaboration in research and industry.
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