Interview: Abdulaziz Al Tamimi, CEO, Qatar Primary Materials Company, on accelerating the use of recycled inputs and driving the shift toward a more sustainable economy
In what ways has Qatar’s construction boom shaped its approach to using recycled materials and alternative aggregates in the construction supply chain?
ABDULAZIZ AL TAMIMI: The scale and pace of major developments and a surge in demand has accelerated a national shift towards integrating recycled construction and demolition (C&D) materials and alternative aggregates into the supply chain. These developments have not only exposed the logistical and environmental costs of importing and extracting aggregates through local mining but have also strengthened the case for localising material production through sustainable recycling initiatives. Supported by the national authorities, current efforts focus on investing in advanced recycling technologies and forging strategic partnerships to convert excavation and C&D waste into viable construction inputs. This transition underpins Qatar’s circular economy goals and enhances the resilience and sustainability of its construction materials supply chain.
What key challenges does Qatar face in scaling up C&D waste recycling and reducing dependence on imported materials like gabbro?
AL TAMIMI: Qatar has made solid progress in developing C&D recycling infrastructure but key challenges remain. One major hurdle is building market confidence in the quality of recycled materials, especially among contractors and consultants accustomed to virgin aggregates. Weak enforcement of recycled content mandates also slows adoption. Operationally, limited on-site sorting leads to mixed waste, increasing segregation needs and processing costs. Tailoring recycling systems to local waste composition requires technical investment and collaboration. Addressing these issues is key to cutting reliance on imported gabbro and strengthening domestic aggregate and sand supply. The private sector is working with the relevant ministries to apply best practices and develop a comprehensive framework aimed at overcoming these challenges.
How have waste processing facilities enhanced the efficiency and scalability of C&D material recovery?
AL TAMIMI: Qatar has advanced in developing waste management infrastructure, laying the groundwork for scaling up C&D waste systems. The priority is expanding dedicated infrastructure for C&D recycling. Rawdat Rashid is being developed as the national centre, equipped with advanced technologies such as mechanical sorting, washing and screening to recover high-quality recycled materials from mixed waste. Establishing decentralised recycling nodes in high-demand areas, integrating enterprise resource planning-linked weigh-bridge and tracking systems, and enforcing stricter regulations on recycled content will be key. Combined with government support to offset costs and ensure competitive pricing, these measures will help regulate waste inflow, stabilise supply and accelerate the adoption of recycled aggregates across the sector.
Where is Qatar advancing standards to enable the safe, widespread use of recycled C&D materials?
AL TAMIMI: Qatar has taken a proactive approach to revising technical standards to support the use of recycled C&D materials. Regulatory bodies and major developers – such as the Public Works Authority and relevant ministries – are collaborating with recyclers and research institutions to test and validate recycled sand and aggregates in real-world applications. This has led to the gradual inclusion of recycled content allowances in the Qatar Construction Specifications, particularly for road layers, non-structural concrete and backfill. Pilot trials with ready-mix producers have also demonstrated the feasibility of substituting natural or imported aggregates with locally produced, washed recycled materials. Moving forwards, regular updates to national specifications and the introduction of robust third-party certification schemes will be critical to building market confidence and mainstreaming recycled materials across Qatar’s construction industry.
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