Sustainability in the industrial and construction sector: from problem to opportunity. Mireia Fernández, June 2026

In recent decades, economic growth and urban development have driven unprecedented demand for natural resources. This model has made it possible to improve infrastructure, quality of life and industrial competitiveness, but it has also brought to the table environmental challenges that, today, can no longer be ignored.

One of the most obvious is the overexploitation of natural resources. The intensive consumption of raw materials such as aggregates, minerals or fossil fuels has in many cases exceeded the planet’s capacity for regeneration. In the construction sector, for example, natural aggregates – gravel, sand and stones – are the most widely used raw material after water. This constant pressure on quarries and mining operations has direct consequences: alteration of the landscape, loss of biodiversity, high energy consumption and emissions associated with extraction and transport.

Added to this is another problem: the massive generation of waste. Construction and demolition waste (CDW) represents one of the largest streams at European level, and industrial activity, especially steel, generates by-products such as slag, which have historically been underused. The problem is not only the volume that ends up in landfill, but the fact that we are wasting resources that, with current technology, can have a second life.

In this context, the circular economy ceases to be a theoretical concept and becomes a real need. Instead of following a linear model based on “extract, produce, use and discard”, the circular economy proposes to close the cycle of materials, reincorporating them into the production system. This is where waste management and recovery takes on a strategic role.

In this area, companies such as ADEC Global are working in this direction, betting on the recovery and recovery of industrial and construction waste, such as steel slag and CDW. Through advanced technical processes, these materials are transformed into new products suitable for use in civil works and buildings. In short, waste becomes a resource.

The benefits are clear. The use of recovered materials reduces dependence on natural resources, reduces pressure on quarries and limits the volume of waste destined for landfill. In addition, it contributes to reducing the carbon footprint of the sector and optimizing energy consumption. It is not only an environmental issue, but also a matter of efficiency and competitiveness.

However, despite the obvious advantages, the widespread implementation of these materials still encounters resistance. In recent years, the administration has taken important steps to reverse this situation and promote the use of recycled materials, especially in public works.

In Catalonia, Law 5/2020 introduced the obligation to use a minimum percentage of 5% by weight of recycled aggregates over the total aggregates provided, a requirement that was later developed through specific regulations, such as Order ACC/9/2023.

Subsequently, Law 3/2023, of 16 March, added the fifth additional provision to Legislative Decree 1/2009, which includes the promotion of the use of recoverable steel aggregate, in a minimum percentage of 5% by weight of the total aggregates provided, unless there is technical justification. This provision reinforces the role of recovered materials in public procurement and construction practice.

On the other hand, there are also initiatives such as the lines of aid from the Generalitat de Catalunya (Resolution TER/1850/2026), aimed at encouraging the use of recycled aggregates with CE marking on site.

However, the real challenge lies in the effective compliance and control of these measures. In many cases, the practical application is uneven, either due to lack of follow-up, lack of technical knowledge or inertia in traditional procedures.

At the same time, a change of mentality is essential in professionals in the sector. For years, the use of recycled materials has been surrounded by prejudices related to their quality, durability or technical performance. However, technological evolution and current quality controls guarantee that these materials meet the required standards, in many cases equaling or even exceeding the performance of traditional materials.

Overcoming these barriers involves training, dissemination and, above all, generating technical confidence. Engineers, designers, construction companies and administrations must work together to integrate sustainability as a priority criterion in decision-making. The prescription of recycled materials should not be seen as an obligation, but as an opportunity to innovate, optimize resources and reduce the environmental impact of projects.

In this sense, public procurement has a key role. If administrations not only require, but also verify compliance with these requirements, they can act as a real driver of change and consolidate a stronger market for recycled materials.

In short, the challenges associated with the overexploitation of resources and the generation of waste require urgent solutions. Waste recovery, such as the one developed by ADEC Global, shows that it is possible to transform these challenges into real opportunities to move towards a more sustainable model. However, in order to consolidate this change, it is necessary to strengthen the regulatory framework, ensure its effective application and promote a cultural evolution in the sector. Only in this way will it be possible to build a future where development and sustainability advance hand in hand.

Mireia Fernández

Director of Quality, Sustainability and R+D+i ECCP, ADEC Global.

ADEC Global is a member of the Business & Climate Foundation