Nadico’s Rehabilitation Department supports its clients so that asbestos removal promotes thermal insulation and energy self-consumption, making buildings more sustainable.
Parets del Vallès, March 4, 2024.- Although more than 20 years have passed since the use of asbestos in building construction was banned, its harmful effects persist. In Europe alone, and according to figures from the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR), 88,000 people die every year due to inhalation of this material. Moreover, some international studies indicate that, contrary to popular belief, asbestos does not need to break in order for its harmful fibers to be released.
The European Union set a target for the removal of asbestos from all public buildings by 2028, and from the entire Union by 2032. In Spain, State Law 7/2022 of April 8 established that municipalities had to submit a census and removal schedule, which was due in April 2023. However, despite all efforts, these objectives do not seem realistic: in Catalonia alone, it is estimated that there are 4.2 million tons of asbestos-cement roofing, and only 20,000 tons are removed annually. At this pace, complete eradication would take around 200 years.
Nadico, as a multi-specialist engineering firm in industrial construction, has specialized technicians with the specific knowledge needed to turn the obligation of removing asbestos-cement into tangible results. The company supports its clients in making the most appropriate decisions to ensure a real balance between the economic and environmental sustainability of their investments. Nadico evaluates all variables, such as thermal and acoustic improvements of roofing and enclosures or the use of surfaces for solar energy collection, so that every clean energy investment becomes a real opportunity.
In this regard, Christophe García, Head of Technical Development in Nadico’s Industrial Area, states: “The removal of asbestos from roofing is a delicate operation, as it affects the daily operations of the company. Technical and economic options must be carefully prepared in advance. Knowing which type of roofing is most suitable, as well as checking structural strength and regulatory compliance—even if they seem obvious—are key aspects that deserve the insight of an independent, responsible, and specialized consultant.”
Thus, Nadico becomes that independent, competent, and reliable partner who brings experience and added value to tackle the complex transformation of buildings, especially when complex processes are involved, with the participation of many stakeholders (manufacturers, contractors, intermediaries…) and where countless procedures must be carried out, such as permits, licenses, or subsidies.
Finally, García concludes: “Asbestos removal is a moral obligation today and a contractual one tomorrow. It will allow companies to improve many private and community aspects of their assets, such as the health and comfort of their workers, as well as their immediate surroundings. When carried out by specialists, it is a present investment that will have a long-term impact on a more sustainable future.”
