The development of smart cities, a field in which Azerbaijan is actively advancing projects, requires the extensive use of environmentally friendly construction materials made from recycled raw materials, Stefano Titotto, Regional Director of the Italian company Breton and Head of its Engineered Stone Division, told Azerbaijani journalists, as quoted by Report's European bureau.
"Smart cities need smart materials. We propose using recycled materials to build the cities of the future through our technologies," he said.
According to Titotto, the technology can be used to manufacture flooring, façade cladding, countertops, and other architectural surfaces, while at the same time reducing the environmental impact of urban development.
"The smartest stone is the one that has already been quarried but cannot be used in traditional stone products. With our technologies, we can create new stone from such material," he noted.
Titotto emphasized that the use of secondary raw materials helps reduce waste volumes and supports a more sustainable approach to the development of urban infrastructure, including potential projects in Azerbaijan.
At the 3rd Forum of Azerbaijani Engineers Living in Europe, he delivered a presentation entitled "BretonTerraStone – Intelligent Industrial Processes for Environmentally Sustainable Smart Cities and Opportunities for Their Application in Azerbaijan."