Decarbonisation continues to consolidate itself as one of the great strategic challenges of the construction sector. In this context, the Ministry of Industry and Tourism has approved a new aid resolution within the framework of the PERTE on Industrial Decarbonisation, a programme aimed at supporting projects that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the Spanish manufacturing industry.

According to official forecasts, this PERTE will mobilise public investment of 3,170 million euros, with the capacity to generate up to 11,800 million euros of total investment, increase industrial productivity by 10%, create approximately 8,000 jobs and reduce CO₂ emissions by 13 million tonnes per year.

More than 518 million euros in subsidies will be allocated to 17 industrial projects in different productive sectors, and more than 350 million euros of these grants will go directly to companies linked to the construction value chain.

Cement concentrates the main investments

A significant part of the approved funds will go to the cement industry, considered one of the sectors with the greatest challenges in terms of decarbonisation.

The main beneficiary will be Cemex España, which will receive a subsidy of 200 million euros for the decarbonisation project of its plant in Alcanar (Tarragona). The total investment planned by the company exceeds 450 million euros.

For its part, Votorantim Cimentos will obtain a grant of 119.6 million euros to develop decarbonisation actions at its plant in Toral de los Vados (León), in a project valued at around 284 million euros.

Boost also for construction materials and products

The aid is not limited to cement. Other companies linked to construction materials have also been selected to receive funding.

This is the case of Rockwool Peninsular, which specializes in insulation solutions, which will receive €18.21 million to continue advancing in the decarbonisation of its production facilities in Caparroso (Navarra). The project includes a total investment of 55.77 million euros.

Covestro, a manufacturer of chemical products used in different construction applications, has also been selected, which will obtain a subsidy of 8.12 million euros for the decarbonisation plan of its plant in La Canonja (Tarragona).

In addition to these initiatives, Intasa, dedicated to the manufacture of MDF-HDF boards and laminate flooring, will receive €10.78 million to promote a project to recover and recover biomass waste for renewable thermal generation.

Sustainability is consolidated as a strategic axis of the sector

The magnitude of the investments approved shows that decarbonisation has become a strategic priority for the construction and materials industry.

The commitment to more efficient technologies, renewable energy sources and new production processes confirms a trend that will continue to mark the evolution of the sector over the coming years. Sustainability is no longer just an environmental objective, but also a key factor of competitiveness for companies that want to lead the transformation of the construction sector.