Industrialized construction is an increasingly established reality that implies multiple advantages and benefits, such as achieving a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions in its execution. A delivery times and costs are lower. So why is this option still so minority in Spain? The company Knauf Iberia answers this question and explains why this situation could change radically in our country.
The industrialization of architecture brings benefits, both to companies in the sector and to the end customer, and is an indisputable path towards sustainability in construction. Despite this, in Spain it does not even reach 1%, while in Germany or the United Kingdom it stands at 9% and 7% respectively, reaching 50% in the Netherlands. Could this situation in Spain change in the near future? There are some indicators, the company explains, that suggest so.
Why can the industrialized construction sector grow in Spain?
The first of the indicators is the existence of an ecosystem conducive to its development that is not only taking shape, but also has prospects for growth. There are already several industrializing companies and promoters that are clearly committed to innovation and the application of industrialization to the most varied types of buildings. Companies in the construction materials industry are also evolving and collaborating to industrialize construction, as is the case with Knauf, providing know-how in the modular construction of bathrooms and façades.
It is also worth adding architecture studios with professionals who work or advocate for industrialization. In addition, collective initiatives are emerging such as the Platform for the Industrialization of Housing, which seeks to promote this paradigm shift.
The second leads us to consider the good progress of the construction sector as a whole (despite the pandemic) and increasing environmental demands. According to the Institute of Economic Studies, construction will be the economic activity that will lead growth during 2021 in Spain. An important trend will be the increase in projects aimed at mitigating climate change. In addition, in the recovery plan for Europe, the fight against climate change has a very prominent role. For this reason, the industrialization of construction becomes a relevant model to achieve these objectives, given its contribution to the reduction of CO2 emissions.
The third factor that can have a favorable influence is the government’s commitment to circularity. In fact, the Spanish Circular Economy Strategy has included construction as one of the priority sectors for action for the coming years; because of its weight in the economic recovery, but also because the situation of construction waste can be improved given the low recycling rate of this waste in Spain.
What are the benefits of industrialized construction?
We do not know if industrialization will become the construction standard soon. What is certain is that the conditions for this have never been so favourable. In this scenario, it will be easier for some economic and cultural changes to take place that could further pave the way.
The industrialized construction sector will have to be able to reach economies of scale to make investments viable. For their part, consumers will have to stop seeing it as something of lesser quality and appreciate its advantages. As for the administrations, they can offer a lot by incorporating industrialization into public housing developments.
All this breeding ground, well used, could make construction in Spain take a giant step towards a more sustainable model this decade.
Facebook Comments
Disqus