Smart Construction Waste Management “Made in Europe”

Spain-based Tecnalia, a member of Basque research & technology alliance, validates a robotic prototype in collaboration with the company Recso.

The partners are working in the framework of the European project “Reconmatic” on the development and validation of digital and automated solutions for construction and demolition waste management. One of these solutions is the robotic prototype that these organizations have put into operation in the facilities of Reciclados Sostenibles Recso.

“The system uses NIR hyperspectral techniques combined with AI to identify and sort mixed materials in the waste stream with higher precision than the human eye,” Tecnalia informed. “This information activates an articulated arm that automatically sorts the materials, and this optimizes the process and generates high-value recycled aggregates that replace natural ones.” As reported, the construction sector accounts for 36 percent of waste in the EU and is the largest consumer of mineral and non-renewable resources. Reducing this impact is a priority in order to move towards a more sustainable and circular model.

tecnalia.com, recso.es, reconmatic.eu

(Published in GLOBAL RECYCLING Magazine 1/2026, Page 16)