Portugal and the Future of Building Materials: Why Not Lead This Revolution as Well?

Working daily in the real estate sector, I am always aware of what happens in the world and what can influence the future of our activity. That is why a recent article in a German newspaper caught my attention so much. Not only for the innovation described, but for the question that echoed me right away: why aren´t we, in Portugal, walking with the same ambition?
What Germany has tested shows a possible revolution in the construction sector. The use of concrete with a negative CO₂ footprint, produced on an industrial scale, through biogenic carbon from biomass waste, is no longer a theory and has become a reality. This is not academic research disconnected from the field. It is a real work, applied in a real building, with concrete, measured and proven results.
If it is already possible to do this, why not Portugal?
We live in a country that is recognized worldwide as a reference in renewable energies. We are innovators, we have universities of excellence, high-quality research centers and a construction industry that has taken important steps in modernization. We still have something that many countries do not have, which is an abundance of biomass and an industrial culture linked to the transformation of natural waste. This is an advantage that we are not fully exploiting.
If we already lead in the production of clean energy, why not also lead in construction materials with less climate impact? The German example is clear. The incorporation of biogenic carbon replaces part of the concrete additives and reduces its footprint by more than 60 percent. In addition, this carbon is permanently stored in the built structure. The logic is simple and powerful. Regional waste is used to create cleaner and more efficient materials.
As a real estate professional, I am concerned that Portugal may be missing this opportunity. The sector is changing rapidly, and real estate projects are now valued not only for commercial value, but also for environmental impact. ESG metrics, which a few years ago seemed distant, have become essential for investors, banks, and buyers. Europe has already made it clear that climate demands will grow. We cannot be left behind.
If we want a competitive real estate sector, it is essential to start investing in new materials and encourage partnerships between startups, universities, and construction companies. Portugal has talent, it has natural resources, it has industry and it has the conditions to create a new generation of decarbonized construction solutions. We just need to take the first step with courage and vision.
I imagine a future in which Portugal leads not only in energy, but also in innovation in construction. A future where our buildings act as carbon storage. A future where the country exports not only clean energy, but also materials and technology capable of reducing emissions anywhere in the world.
That future is real. It is happening in other countries. And it is within our reach. We just need to decide that we want to be at the forefront, not chasing Europe when the rules are imposed.
If there is a time to transform the sector, it is now. And if there is a country with the potential to do so, that country is clearly Portugal.