The study “The contribution of the cement sector to industrial symbiosis” highlights the contribution of Catalan factories to the Circular Economy

In order to dimension and disseminate the contribution of cement factories to circular economy processes through industrial symbiosis, the CEMA Foundation has published the study prepared in collaboration with the Institut Cerdà Cerdà La aportación del sector cementero a la simbiosis industrial. To reinforce the dissemination and knowledge of this practice, a video on industrial symbiosis in the cement industry has also been prepared available on the YouTube channel, as well as a summary infographic. 

 The study highlights the contribution of Catalan plants and that of Spain as a whole, and specifies the figures for the contribution of the cement sector to industrial symbiosis, through:

• The identification of the industrial sectors from which the secondary raw materials used come from.
• The characterization of the quantities consumed from each sector.
• The estimation of the future availability of each identified waste stream.
• Estimation of CO₂ savings and economic savings, whenever possible, for each sector involved.

The so-called industrial symbiosis consists of a business strategy that connects several industries in order to reduce the need for virgin raw materials and the elimination of waste, thus closing the circuits of materials. Throughout the study published on the website of the Observatorio de la economía circular en la industria cementera, it is explained how the companies are currently related to 88 economic sectors, being one of the largest recyclers of mineral waste in our country and the leading industry in energy recovery.

Industrial symbiosis, as an instrument encompassed under the circular economy paradigm, is an engine for green growth and for obtaining eco-innovative solutions, at the same time that it allows reducing CO₂ emissions and optimizing the use of resources.