INTEC and Metaldom address the impact of steel on sustainable construction

Ileana Rojas González, a chemical engineer specializing in Environmental Management, Climate Change and Sustainability, explained the advantages of using this material in construction projects

SANTO DOMINGO.- Steel as a fundamental material in construction is not only essential for its durability and resistance, but also for its capacity to be recycled, being a key component in the circular economy; This was evidenced by Ileana Rojas Gonzalez, a chemical engineer specializing in Environmental Management, Climate Change and Sustainability, who taught at the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) the first INTEClass, in collaboration with METALDOM.  

During the discussion, which was aimed at engineering students and professionals, Rojas explained that the challenges of the steel industry in the Dominican Republic are visible in the environmental impact of the use of raw materials from all sectors and in the challenge of waste generation. “What we need to rethink is the way we are producing so that this waste can be incorporated into the flow of the circular economy so that it continues to generate value,” he said. 

“A percentage of the raw material we use in our plant comes from recycled sources, forged from ferrous scrap formed in these electric arc furnaces. This implies a significant reduction in the amount of natural resources. No coal is burned to manufacture this raw material, no earth or mineral layer is extracted to extract this iron…”, explained the expert who works as the Environmental Manager at Metaldom.

For this reason, he suggested the use of materials with a smaller environmental footprint, with recycled raw material content and that can be obtained locally. Regarding the efficiency of processes, he advised that these can be implemented to generate savings in time and resources and, referring to waste management, he proposed that construction projects not generate waste on site.

Cayetano Rodríguez, dean of the Engineering Department, valued the link with METALDOM as a representative of the industrial sector and invited those present to make the most of the first INTEClass, “from the tallest buildings that define our cities to the critical infrastructures that sustain our societies, steel plays a key role. However, in the current context, in which sustainability is more crucial than ever, steel has proven to be much more than a resistant material,” Rodríguez said during his opening speech.

Meanwhile, Melina Lozano, Marketing Manager of Metaldom, stated that, among its strategic priorities, the company seeks to reduce the impact of the industry on the environment. “INTEC, like Metaldom, has been committed to the social transformation of the country since its beginnings, and today we have joined forces to form the next generation of steel, recognizing and promoting our national talent.”

Rojas González, a keynote speaker at INTEClass, has worked on various projects related to environmental management and sustainability, providing a comprehensive and practical approach to the challenges facing modern construction. She has more than 20 years of experience supporting companies and their strategies to maximize their triple value through the management of double materiality.

The event was attended by dozens of students and graduates of engineering courses, as well as a large representation of the teaching staff. Also present were Alexander Pimentel, coordinator of the Civil Engineering course, and Carol Santiago, director of Development, Institutional Relations and Graduates.

INTEClass is an initiative of INTEC, in coordination with allied companies, with the aim of sharing content on trends and good practices in different areas of knowledge, with the help of specialists for the benefit of the community of students, professors and graduates of the university.

About the INTEC and METALDOM alliance

The strategic alliance between METALDOM and INTEC arises from the commitment of both companies to the development and consolidation of the construction sector in a sustainable manner in the country, as well as to the strengthening of the engineering career. It extends to internships, exchanges and the organization of training events, as well as the sponsorship of scholarships in STEM careers, through the INTEC Program with Outstanding Students (PIES). METALDOM is a leader in the production of high-quality steel solutions for the construction sector in the Caribbean and Central America region.