SOCOTEC reinforces its Green Trust services following a technical deep dive at Hercal's H-Zero plant
On the path toward decarbonizing the building and infrastructure sectors, Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) management is no longer just a logistical challenge—it has become a strategic resource bank.
To continue providing our clients with the most advanced environmental consulting and sustainability solutions, SOCOTEC technicians and engineers conducted a first-hand analysis of H-Zero (Hercal), Spain's pioneering plant in the treatment, washing, and recovery of CDW.
This technical deep dive enables us to directly integrate circular economy best practices into our Green Trust service portfolio, helping developers, construction companies, and public administrations reduce the environmental impact of their assets while maximizing the value of their projects.
From demolition to new materials
The value of recycled aggregate
The transformation of the sector requires a shift away from the traditional paradigm: a demolition no longer represents the end of a building's life cycle, but rather the source of a new raw material.
Through the separation and washing process at the plant, high-quality recycled concrete aggregates and mixed recycled aggregates (gravels and sands) are obtained. This material is ideal for manufacturing sustainable concrete and high-performance construction applications, delivering direct benefits to developments and public works:
- Carbon footprint reduction: Local production of recycled aggregates near major urban centers drastically reduces transport distances and associated emissions.
- Alignment with Green Public Procurement: Provides Public Administrations and bidders with a genuine, technical, and certified alternative to traditional quarries.
- Protection of natural resources: Preserves natural reserves by replacing virgin aggregate and minimizes reliance on controlled landfills or waste sites.
The transformation of the sector requires a shift away from the traditional paradigm: a demolition no longer represents the end of a building's life cycle, but rather the source of a new raw material.
Through the separation and washing process at the plant, high-quality recycled concrete aggregates and mixed recycled aggregates (gravels and sands) are obtained. This material is ideal for manufacturing sustainable concrete and high-performance construction applications, delivering direct benefits to developments and public works:
- Carbon footprint reduction: Local production of recycled aggregates near major urban centers drastically reduces transport distances and associated emissions.
- Alignment with Green Public Procurement: Provides Public Administrations and bidders with a genuine, technical, and certified alternative to traditional quarries.
- Protection of natural resources: Preserves natural reserves by replacing virgin aggregate and minimizes reliance on controlled landfills or waste sites.
How does this expertise benefit our clients' projects?
At SOCOTEC, we support our clients across all stages of their assets' life cycle to ensure their sustainability goals are technically feasible, efficient, and aligned with the European regulatory framework.
Through our Green Trust solutions—whose criteria are verified in accordance with the EU Taxonomy—we leverage this technical expertise to:
Advise on CDW management and recovery in demolition and refurbishment projects.
Validate and certify the quality of recycled materials for reintroduction into construction projects with full technical and legal assurance.
Quantify emission reductions and certify compliance with ESG indicators and Environmental Ratings (BREEAM®, LEED®, VERDE®)
A deep understanding of the most advanced industrial waste recovery processes enables us to prescribe circular economy solutions grounded in technical rigor and total confidence for our clients,” states SOCOTEC’s Sustainability division
Port Vell in Barcelona
Sustainable Pavement
SOCOTEC's Construction Management team collaborated with Hercal on the resurfacing of Barcelona's Port Vell. This initiative, promoted by the Barcelona City Council on the occasion of the 37th America's Sailing Cup, has transformed the seafront area into a more comfortable, safe, and sustainable space.
The project demonstrates how the practical application of the circular economy reinforces our Green Trust services in infrastructure projects.
Innovation and sustainability in the project:
Asphalt with recycled plastic: Incorporation of 0.5% recycled plastic into the mix to reduce the use of natural resources.
Lower CO2 emissions: Bituminous mixtures produced at lower temperatures than usual to decrease energy consumption.
Waste recovery with Hercal: Use of high-quality recycled aggregates from the H-Zero plant (Hercal), a pioneer in the washing and treatment of construction waste.
SOCOTEC's Construction Management team collaborated with Hercal on the resurfacing of Barcelona's Port Vell. This initiative, promoted by the Barcelona City Council on the occasion of the 37th America's Sailing Cup, has transformed the seafront area into a more comfortable, safe, and sustainable space.
The project demonstrates how the practical application of the circular economy reinforces our Green Trust services in infrastructure projects.
Innovation and sustainability in the project:
Asphalt with recycled plastic: Incorporation of 0.5% recycled plastic into the mix to reduce the use of natural resources.
Lower CO2 emissions: Bituminous mixtures produced at lower temperatures than usual to decrease energy consumption.
Waste recovery with Hercal: Use of high-quality recycled aggregates from the H-Zero plant (Hercal), a pioneer in the washing and treatment of construction waste.
