Innovation in the construction sector is no longer measured solely by the technical performance of materials, but also by their ability to reduce environmental impact, optimise resources and open up new pathways towards a more circular economy.
In this context, Topciment® is moving forward with ECOPIGMENTS, an R&D project focused on developing sustainable pigments from waste generated by the metallurgical industry . Through this initiative, the Valencia-based company strengthens its role as a manufacturer committed to innovation, sustainability and the responsible transformation of raw materials.
With this project, Topciment® is not only exploring new technical solutions for its decorative systems, but also opening the way for the manufacture of circular economy pigments applied to microcement — a field with significant potential for the future of seamless decorative coatings.
A new generation of sustainable pigments for microcement
ECOPIGMENTS was created with the aim of developing new functional, stable pigments that are compatible with Topciment® microcement systems, using iron-rich industrial waste as a starting point.
The project, carried out at the factory site located in La Pobla de Vallbona, Valencia, Spain (C/ Viena 31), focuses on the valorisation of by-products from the metallurgical industry, such as slag, ash, sludge, steel rolling oxides and acid pickling waste . These materials, which in many cases are difficult to reuse and may ultimately end up in landfill, are being used as a source for obtaining sustainable pigments with applications in the construction sector.
In this way, Topciment® is emerging as a key player in the search for alternative raw materials that can reduce dependence on virgin or mineral-based resources without compromising the quality, aesthetics or durability of its products.
From industrial waste to high-value resources
One of the main challenges of ECOPIGMENTS is to transform metallurgical waste into iron oxide pigments suitable for use in microcement. To achieve this, the project includes physical, chemical and electrochemical processes designed to minimise environmental impact and reduce the use of harsh chemical reagents.
This line of research supports the development of cleaner and more efficient production processes, in line with the principles of the circular economy. Instead of viewing certain types of waste as a problem, ECOPIGMENTS turns them into an opportunity : a new raw material with technical, functional and environmental value.
The project aims to obtain pigments based on different iron oxides, such as magnetite , associated with black shades; goethite , linked to yellow tones; hematite , related to red hues; and maghemite , used for brown colour ranges.
These pigments will be assessed for their application in microcement, evaluating key aspects such as compatibility with Topciment® systems, colour stability, dispersibility, finish uniformity, strength, levelling and durability.
Main objectives of the ECOPIGMENTS project
ECOPIGMENTS is built around a series of technical and strategic objectives that reinforce Topciment®’s commitment to sustainable R&D&I:
Develop circular economy pigments from waste generated by the metallurgical industry, particularly iron-rich waste. Reduce the use of virgin raw materials by replacing mineral pigments sourced from quarries or pigments obtained through synthetic processes with a higher environmental impact. Valorise industrial waste such as slag, ash, sludge, acid pickling waste and steel rolling oxides, transforming them into useful resources for new construction applications. Validate their incorporation into microcement systems , analysing their compatibility, stability, dispersibility, aesthetic finish and technical performance. Research cleaner processes using electrochemical technologies, electrokinetic extraction and electrochemical pH modification, with the aim of reducing the consumption of conventional reagents. Promote industrial symbiosis by connecting the metallurgical sector, as a generator of waste with valorisation potential, with the construction sector, as the field of application for new sustainable materials.
A commitment to industrial symbiosis and circular construction
ECOPIGMENTS represents an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between different yet complementary industries. On one side, the metallurgical industry, which generates waste with recovery potential. On the other, the decorative coatings sector, which requires innovative, stable and more sustainable solutions.
This connection helps promote industrial symbiosis: a model in which the waste generated by one activity can become a valuable resource for another . In this case, Topciment® is exploring how to transform metallurgical by-products into pigments suitable for microcement, creating a higher-value alternative to disposal or underuse.
With this initiative, Topciment® is moving forward as a forerunner in the development of circular pigments for microcement, bringing together sustainability, product innovation and improved industrial processes.
Investment and support from ERDF funds
The ECOPIGMENTS project, carried out between 2023 and 2025, has a total investment of €255,015.00 , of which €216,762.75 comes from CDTI with support from ERDF funds.
In this context, the initiative aligns with the spirit of “Europa Se Siente”, the communication slogan for European funds, which highlights the real impact of this support on innovation, sustainability and the transformation of the productive fabric.
This backing enables Topciment® to further develop a strategic line of research for the future of decorative materials: the creation of more sustainable solutions, the reduction of the environmental impact associated with raw materials, and the integration of circular economy criteria into high-performance products.
Topciment® strengthens its role as a benchmark company in sustainable innovation
With ECOPIGMENTS, Topciment® consolidates its commitment to more efficient, circular and decarbonised construction. The project not only drives research into new sustainable pigments for microcement, but also reinforces the company’s positioning as a benchmark in R&D&I applied to decorative coatings.
Through this initiative, Topciment® takes a distinctive step forward in the evolution of microcement, showing that industrial innovation can go hand in hand with sustainability, production efficiency and waste valorisation.
ECOPIGMENTS therefore opens up a new pathway for the development of circular economy pigments capable of adding technical and environmental value to microcement systems, while confirming Topciment®’s commitment to continuing to move towards more responsible, durable construction solutions aligned with the challenges of the future.
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