Topciment® drives BIOMAT-RCD, a project to reintegrate complex construction waste into the production chain

At Topciment®, we see innovation as a key tool to transform the construction sector towards a more sustainable model. Our commitment to reducing carbon footprint and promoting the circular economy is reflected in our participation in high-impact R&D&I projects.

In this context, BIOMAT-RCD was launched: a strategic collaborative project focused on the advanced valorisation of construction and demolition waste (C&D waste) , with the aim of reintegrating it into the value chain as secondary raw materials and contributing to low-carbon construction.

In this way, complex waste streams that are currently challenging to manage — and represent a significant issue — become an opportunity to move towards a more sustainable, efficient and competitive industry.

What does the BIOMAT-RCD project involve?

This collaborative industrial research project, with Topciment® as one of its driving partners, focuses on developing new, innovative routes to valorise mixed C&D waste, turning an abundant and hard-to-recover waste stream into:

• high-performance recycled aggregates,
• and new circular materials for the construction sector.

Tackling a major challenge: more than 800 million tonnes per year

The project addresses one of today’s main environmental challenges: the management of construction and demolition waste, which accounts for approximately one third of all waste generated in the European Union, exceeding the alarming figure of 800 million tonnes per year.

As an alternative to the traditional model based on landfilling or low-value uses, BIOMAT-RCD proposes reintegrating these wastes into the production chain, helping to reduce the consumption of natural resources and the emissions associated with conventional materials.

Circular economy, regulation and low-carbon construction

BIOMAT-RCD align with the Smart Specialisation Strategy of the Valencian Community (S3-CV) and with European goals for the circular economy and climate neutrality.

In addition, the project responds directly to new regulatory requirements, such as Spain’s Waste Law 7/2022, que establece la obligation to recover at least 70% of C&D waste and promotes selective demolition as a key environmental prevention tool.

By valorising mixed recycled aggregates, BIOMAT-RCD will make it possible to:

• reduce reliance on virgin raw materials,
• ease pressure on quarries and landfills,
• and move towards construction with a lower carbon footprint

BIOMAT-RCD strategic objectives

The project is built around four fundamental strategic objectives:

1. Efficient valorisation of construction and demolition waste, especially mixed fractions that are difficult to recycle.
2. Reducing the construction sector's carbon footprint by partially replacing clinker in cements and mortars.
3. Developing new sustainable and competitive materials, with validated technical performance and real market applicability.
4. Strengthening the industrial value chain by fostering symbiosis between C&D waste treatment plants and construction materials manufacturers.

A collaborative project: strength through partnership

BIOMAT-RCD is being developed through cooperation between Topciment® and ORIGEN MATERIALES S.A.U., bringing together industrial and technological capabilities to accelerate the transfer of results into real-world applications in the construction sector.

Breakdown of the investment in the BIOMAT-RCD project

BIOMAT-RCD has a total budget of €650.290,83 , distributed across 2025, 2026 and 2027, and funded by the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) programme for the Valencian Community 2021-2027.

The annual breakdown is as follows:

• 2025: €111.227,44
• 2026: €185.403,46
• 2027: €353.659,94