Valdesc Project - Circular, decarbonized and productive construction to transform the future of the sector

Circular, decarbonized, and productive construction to transform the future of the sector.

Through technological innovation, the development of new sustainable materials, and the design of industrialized construction systems, the VALDESC project addresses key challenges facing the sector, such as advanced waste management, process efficiency, and decarbonization, turning them into opportunities for economic, environmental, and social impact.

The VALDESC project “Innovative solutions for the promotion of the VALORIZATION of complex CDW and DECARBONIZATION of the construction sector in the CAM” has been subsidized through the 2024 Call for aid to contribute to the improvement of public-private cooperation in R&D&I through tractor effect projects in consortium of the Ministry of Education, Science and Universities of the Community of Madrid and co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), within the framework of the Community of Madrid Program 2021-2027.

The project

The VALDESC project emerged in response to the construction industry’s need to accelerate its transformation toward a circular economy, digitize the entire value chain, decarbonize construction processes, products, and systems, and achieve greater productivity gains through the industrialization of construction systems, seeking to balance economic, social, and environmental development.

Project objectives

The VALDESC Project is an ambitious R&D initiative aimed at transforming the construction sector toward a more sustainable, digital, and efficient model. Its objective is to advance the circular economy and decarbonization through the industrialization of construction systems, the digitalization of the value chain, and the development of processes and products with a lower environmental impact.

The project focuses on researching and generating circular and decarbonized solutions by utilizing complex construction and demolition waste (CDW), such as ceramics, mixed fine stone, mineral wool, gypsum, and lightweight materials. To this end, 14 new innovative products and processes will be developed, organized into four technological lines within a circular value chain, to promote cleaner, more advanced, and more resilient construction.

Digital technologies to improve C&D waste management and the circularity of the resulting material resources.

This line of research and development involves various interconnected advanced digital solutions to create a comprehensive ecosystem that increases the purity and value of recycled raw materials in new products and production processes through greater automation of identification, separation, quality control, and information traceability processes.

Product 1: SITRANS advanced digital platform for efficient and comprehensive CDW management.

Product 2: Smart governance system for recycling plants with AI, computer vision, and sensors.

Product 3: Predictive tool for product performance based on recycled raw material quality data.

Product 4: Automatic carbon footprint calculator for the entire value chain.

New processes for the recovery and purification of complex CDW

The new processes will maximize the quality of fine fractions for use in concrete/mortar and fertilizer applications and help minimize the generation of rejects that must be sent to non-hazardous waste landfills.

Product 5: Advanced densimetric separation for fine stone fractions and rejects.

Product 6: Accelerated carbonation of recycled aggregates to sequester CO₂ and improve performance.

Product 7: Micronization of ceramic waste and mineral wool for use in cement.

Product 8: Recovery of Gypsum Board (PYL) to obtain high-quality gypsum and cellulose.

Product 9: Treatment of light impurities to produce solid recovered fuels (SRF).

New decarbonized products with high rates of incorporation of valued raw materials.

Once the recovered raw material has been obtained, new products will be researched, developed, and optimized with percentages greater than 30% (by weight of the final product) of recovered raw material and with a high degree of decarbonization compared to current solutions.

Product 10: Concrete, mortar, and PYL with high circularity and a low carbon footprint.

Product 11: Innovative chemical additives to improve recovery and cementitious products.

Product 12: Fertilizers and substrates from sewage sludge and sulfate-rich fine fractions of CDW (fine aggregates and recovered gypsum).

New Industrialized Construction Systems for the Envelope of a New Facade

The resulting products will be combined and incorporated into a final solution for an industrialized façade envelope, eco-designed to ensure high circularity rates (>50%) and decarbonization, as well as to be disassembled to facilitate high rates of product reuse in future lifecycles.

Product 13: An eco-designed, circular, detachable, and thermally efficient industrialized façade.

Product 14: New modular joints and anchors that facilitate disassembly and reuse.

Sitrans platform

SITRANS is a digital platform that optimizes the management and traceability of construction and demolition waste (CDW), as well as related logistics. Initially developed within the VALREC project, it will be enhanced within the VALDESC framework with advanced technologies to expand its functionality and impact. The tool is designed for various stakeholders in the sector, such as demolition companies, waste managers, transporters, construction companies, and administrations, facilitating planning, monitoring, regulatory compliance, and communication with official platforms.

SITRANS improves operational efficiency, ensures traceability, simplifies procedures, and contributes to sustainability and the circular economy through more efficient use of resources.

Project impact

VALDESC will generate tangible and measurable benefits across the three main pillars of sustainability in the Community of Madrid: the environment, society, and the economy. The project is designed not only to innovate, but also to truly transform the construction sector, with impacts that will be sustained and scaled over time.

Environmental impact:

VALDESC contributes directly to the fight against climate change and the protection of natural resources.

Potential recovery of up to 774,000 tons/year of complex construction and demolition waste (CDW), currently destined for landfill.
Estimated reduction of 51,531 tons of CO₂ equivalent per year, thanks to the implementation of decarbonized products and processes.
Reduction in fossil fuel consumption by 10,890 tons/year, thanks to the development of solid recovered fuels (SRF) and more efficient materials.
Boosting the circular economy with products that incorporate up to 50% recycled material, encouraging the closing of cycles and the reuse of resources.

Social impact

VALDESC promotes employment, training, and regional industrial development.

Direct creation of up to 18 jobs in the first phase of the project, among partners and subcontractors.
Employment growth in subsequent phases, linked to the implementation and industrial scaling of the developed solutions.
Knowledge transfer to the business, professional, and academic community, generating new technological capabilities and improving the sector’s qualifications.
Promotion of a safer, more efficient, and sustainable construction industry, with a positive impact on the urban areas where it is implemented.

Economic impact

VALDESC has a solid projection of return and economic revitalization.

Economic return and impact on the bottom line for participating companies thanks to the commercialization and application of innovative products.
Mobilization of €3.4 million in private investment.
Stimulation of new profitable and sustainable business models with high added value and impact on the competitiveness of local industry.

Team of 11+4

A project driven by a consortium of 11 partners and 4 collaborators working together to transform demolition waste into new opportunities for sustainable architecture and construction.

Each entity contributes its expertise from different areas—architecture, engineering, research, design, industry, or waste management—to ensure the project advances in a coordinated, rigorous, and open manner.

We are not just a working group: we are a team that shares values, challenges, and the ambition to build a more responsible model for the sector.

Blog

VALDESC Project at REBUILD

There are moments when everything seems to fall into place. Where narratives flow, ideas align, and a shared sense of progress takes hold.

Hyperspectral Vision to Ensure SRF Quality

We continue to advance in the integration of innovative technologies aimed at optimising waste management and valorisation.

Waste into Useful Energy

We are taking a decisive step towards achieving more efficient and sustainable waste management through advanced air-separation techniques.

Contact

At Valdesc, we believe in projects that are built with open doors.
If you have questions, ideas, or proposals, please write to us at our contact email.
In addition, we periodically organize open meetings and activities where you can participate, learn about progress, and contribute your perspective.

Wherever you are, if you share our vision, this project is also yours.

contact email

info@valdesc.com

VALDESC contributes directly to the fight against climate change and the protection of natural resources.

VALDESC promotes employment, training, and regional industrial development.

VALDESC has a solid projection of return and economic revitalization.

VALDESC Project at REBUILD

Hyperspectral Vision to Ensure SRF Quality

Waste into Useful Energy

Management of construction and demolition waste (CDW) and wastewater treatment plant sludge.

Environmental services. Waste collection and treatment.

Contracting, management and execution of works and constructions.

Manufacture and sale of concrete and mortar.

Manufacturing of products for construction and industry.

Manufacturing of gypsum-based construction materials.

Manufacturing of construction materials and construction systems.

Design and manufacture of separation and classification technologies.

Software development and customized ICT solutions.

CO2 measurement and offsetting services. Ecosystem restoration.

Development of solutions in the field of data technology and AI.

Applied research and technological development.

Scientific research and technological development.

Research in all aspects related to water.

ClarkeModet Group company specializing in innovation financing and tax services

Architecture, communication and urban strategies