🌿 Forging a Carbon-Neutral Future: CSTO2NE and Partners Unite in Covilhã
- communication4660
- 4 avr.
- 2 min de lecture
On November 18, 2024, the University of Beira Interior (UBI) in Covilhã, Portugal, played host to a vibrant exchange of ideas and innovation at the Seminar/Workshop on Innovative Pathways to Carbon-Neutral Construction. Organized by C-MADE – Centre of Materials and Building Technologies, the event brought together researchers, industry partners, and municipalities to explore a shared vision: building a future where construction materials are both high-performance and climate-responsible.
🔍 CSTO2NE in Focus: Advancing Climate-Neutral Construction
As a key initiative at the heart of the seminar, the CSTO2NE Project took the spotlight with contributions from its coordinator, Prof. João Castro Gomes, and the research team. Attendees were introduced to a range of eco-material prototypes developed within the project, demonstrating how CO₂ mineralisation and waste valorisation can lead to truly circular construction practices.
🌱 From Science to Practice: Prototypes, Biomass & Bio-Inspiration
The morning session featured standout presentations, including:
Dr. Paula Carey (Carbon8) on the latest advancements in CO₂ mineralisation, highlighting the pathway from lab-scale innovation to industrial application.
João Castro Gomes, Clemente Pinto, and Malgorzata Golaszewska, who showcased construction materials made from waste streams and CO₂—paving the way for carbon-negative alternatives.
Architect João Marrucho introduced the Lavaria Project, a visionary integration of sustainability, biomimicry, and built environment design, exemplifying how architecture can echo the intelligence of nature.
🚌 Grounding Theory in Reality: Field Visits to Circular Innovation Sites
In the afternoon, participants journeyed to Fundão for a field visit to the Central de Biomassa and the Cabeço do Pião Washery—two emblematic sites that reflect Portugal’s commitment to bioenergy and post-industrial ecological transformation. These visits emphasized the potential of industrial symbiosis and reuse of residual materials in contributing to a net-zero economy.
🤝 A Meeting of Minds: From Industry to Academia
This seminar represented more than a showcase—it was a living dialogue between science, design, and industry. Participants included:
Leading firms like Carbon8, Tecnibuild Group, Ocean Blossom, Sofalca, and AFFIS.
Academic partners from the University of Évora, C5Lab, and CSTO2NE institutions.
Municipal leadership from the Município do Fundão, reinforcing the role of public engagement in innovation ecosystems.
C-MADE and CSTO2NE extend a warm thanks to the Central de Biomassa do Fundão for their hospitality, and to all partners who contributed to this inspiring day.
✅ Toward a Regenerative Construction Sector
This event reaffirmed a central theme of the CSTO2NE project: carbon-neutral construction is not a distant goal—it is an active, collaborative process already underway. Through science, circularity, and bio-inspired innovation, we are laying the foundations for a built environment that gives more than it takes.
Stay tuned for more project updates, and join us in building a sustainable future.
Comments