“TECNALIA is developing a system that analyses the composition of fine mineral fractions in real time”
Accelerating circularity in construction with new processing solutions and sustainable circular products
TECNALIA is taking part in the European project called CIRCULess, which promotes circularity in construction and manufacturing processes using new solutions to recover mineral and wood fractions and generate high-performance circular products.
The construction and manufacturing industries are facing a growing challenge: to reduce construction and demolition waste and to make the most of the potential of secondary materials.
- In this project, TECNALIA develops new processing techniques that increase the quality and yield of mineral and wood fractions from waste.
- TECNALIA aims to promote secondary materials that meet industry standards without compromising performance, and it is moving towards circular products designed with sustainability in mind.
On-line quality control with spectral sensors
TECNALIA is developing an online quality control system that uses highly localised spectral sensors and advanced data analysis techniques. This solution analyses in real time the composition of fine mineral fractions, improves the reliability of sorting processes and helps to obtain more stable and higher value-added secondary materials. TECNALIA integrates this development into processes that move towards smarter building models aligned with the circular economy.
New robotic sorting solutions
TECNALIA is also working on new solutions for accurate sorting using a robotic arm with a pick-and-place approach. This system uses vacuum suction technology that increases selectivity and efficiency when sorting materials. Its application promotes more sustainable processes and improves the circularity of mineral fractions – an essential element in meeting the current challenges of the construction sector.
A European consortium to accelerate circularity
The project is coordinated by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and brings together leading institutions in Europe. TECNALIA is working alongside AIMEN Centro Tecnológico, Holcim, Omtre, FORESTIA, Gjøvik Kommune, National Technical University of Athens, DTU - Technical University of Denmark, Luleå University of Technology, UNE - Spanish Association for Standardisation, IRES, Global Sustainability Consultancy AS, Eindhoven University of Technology, Volbas, University of Thessaly, bAvenir, TheGreenTech, Zerofect and the University of Hertfordshire.
This collaboration strengthens TECNALIA’s commitment to more sustainable construction and to the recovery of resources that are still underutilised today.