Rising temperatures and heat waves represent one of today’s greatest urban challenges. In response to this scenario, cities and built environments need to evolve toward solutions that improve their thermal response, reduce energy accumulation, and advance toward more livable, efficient, and resilient models.
This week we had the opportunity to participate in Foro Técnico de ANDECE 2026, held at the School of Civil Engineering (Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos) of the Technical University of Madrid (UPM).
Led by Arturo Álvarez, Technical Director at Breinco, we shared insights, knowledge, and innovative solutions during the presentation titled “Photonic materials for cooler and more sustainable cities.”
Mitigating the heat island effect
During the first day, focused on the afternoon session of September 22, we turned the spotlight on one of the most urgent issues in metropolitan areas: the urban heat island effect. This phenomenon causes conventional building materials to absorb and re-emit solar radiation on a massive scale, raising ambient temperatures, driving up energy consumption for building cooling, and directly impacting people’s comfort and health.
Materials innovation: passive radiative cooling with zero energy consumption
¿Cómo podemos revertir esta situación? La respuesta se encuentra en el desarrollo de una nueva generación de materiales cementicios dotados de tecnología fotónica, capaces de aplicar los principios del enfriamiento radiativo pasivo sin necesidad de consumir energía.
Este avance es el fruto del trabajo conjunto que estamos desarrollando junto a Photokrete, combinando su investigación de vanguardia en materiales fotónicos con la capacidad de industrialización y el rigor constructivo de Breinco. Nuestro objetivo compartido es claro: trasladar tecnologías avanzadas directamente desde el laboratorio hasta aplicaciones reales en pavimentos, fachadas y cubiertas.
“The challenge is no longer cooling down hotter cities. It is building cities that accumulate less heat.”
Building the urban future
Meeting spaces and debate forums like Foro Técnico de ANDECE 2026 are essential to drive open innovation, share knowledge, and accelerate the transition toward a more conscious construction sector—one that is better prepared for today’s climate challenges.
Rising temperatures and extreme heat events pose one of the biggest urban challenges of our time. For this reason, Breinco is committed to solutions that improve thermal performance, reduce energy accumulation, and move toward more livable, efficient, and resilient urban models.
🔎 For more information or technical inquiries, you can contact our Technical Director, Arturo Álvarez, at: aalvarez@breinco.com
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