SOCOTEC reinforces its commitment to the circular economy after the technical visit to ADEC Global, a leader in steel aggregates.
The same objective: to promote the prescription of recycled aggregates in public administrations
On the road to the decarbonisation of the construction and infrastructure sector, the recovery of industrial by-products has become a key element in moving towards a real and technically viable circular economy.
With this objective, a multidisciplinary team from SOCOTEC has visited the facilities of ADEC Global, one of the main valorizers of steel aggregates in Spain, to learn first-hand about its production process and the applications of these materials in civil works and buildings.
On behalf of SOCOTEC, Albert Cruz (Civil Works Team Leader, paving expert), Lluís Rodríguez (Laboratory Director in Catalonia), Iván Caparrós (Geotechnics Director), Inés Aguiriano (SOCOTEC sustainability specialist), Marta Buira from the Civil Works team - paving team and Noelia Cuadrado (SOCOTEC Construction Management) attended.
On behalf of ADEC Global, María Vázquez (CEO of ADEC Global), Jesús Escribano de la Torre (Head of the Works Area) and Oscar Hernández (Head of the Vallirana plant) participated.
STEEL AGGREGATE
A material that simultaneously connects and decarbonises two sectors: industry and construction
ADEC Global is currently one of the largest steel aggregate valorizers in the country, generating around 200,000 tons of slag per year. For each ton of steel produced, approximately 150 kg of slag is generated, which gives rise to two types of aggregate with very different properties:
- White aggregate: from the refining process, with expansive and porcelain properties that allow, once ground and mixed with water, its use as a cementitious material.
- Black aggregate: generated in the primary melting process, of low expansiveness, suitable for concretes, granular layers in selected soils and bituminous mixtures.
Both materials must be inert so as not to pollute the environment and comply with current environmental and technical regulations. In addition to steel aggregates, ADEC Global also produces recycled aggregates from construction and demolition waste (gravel, gravel and mixed) in different grain sizes.
ADEC Global is currently one of the largest steel aggregate valorizers in the country, generating around 200,000 tons of slag per year. For each ton of steel produced, approximately 150 kg of slag is generated, which gives rise to two types of aggregate with very different properties:
- White aggregate: from the refining process, with expansive and porcelain properties that allow, once ground and mixed with water, its use as a cementitious material.
- Black aggregate: generated in the primary melting process, of low expansiveness, suitable for concretes, granular layers in selected soils and bituminous mixtures.
Both materials must be inert so as not to pollute the environment and comply with current environmental and technical regulations. In addition to steel aggregates, ADEC Global also produces recycled aggregates from construction and demolition waste (gravel, gravel and mixed) in different grain sizes.
In the past, all types of slag were mixed without distinction. Today we know that each steel aggregate has different properties and specific applications, which allows us to offer high-quality technical solutions with minimal environmental impact
Success stories: Application of steel aggregates in real projects
ADEC Global has managed to demonstrate that its solutions not only meet sustainability criteria, but also technical and economic competitiveness compared to conventional aggregates.
Among the outstanding projects in which SOCOTEC and ADEC Global have collaborated are:
- Via Júlia, where steel aggregate is used daily in pavement repair work.
- Lines 9 and 8 of the Barcelona Metro, whose construction waste is transferred in its entirety to the ADEC Global plant for treatment and recovery.
Knowing in detail the industrial processes for the recovery of steel aggregates allows us to prescribe circular economy solutions with technical criteria, rigour and maximum confidence for our customers
SOCOTEC's commitment to the circular economy
This technical immersion allows SOCOTEC to continue integrating the best practices in waste recovery into its Green Trust portfolio of services, accompanying developers, construction companies and public administrations in reducing the environmental impact of their projects and in complying with ESG indicators and environmental seals such as BREEAM,® LEED® or VERDE®.
With initiatives like this, SOCOTEC reaffirms its leadership in the transition to a more resilient, decarbonized and sustainable built environment.
Do you want to know how to integrate steel aggregates and circular economy solutions into your next project?
Contact the experts at SOCOTEC and find out how our Green Trust services can help you meet your sustainability goals.