Behind the Paper Waste Panels: A Conversation with Alted Founder Berta Julià Sala

Q: What does the circular economy mean to you?

Berta Julià Sala: To me, the circular economy is the only path toward a sustainable future on this planet. In nature, waste doesn’t exist—everything becomes a nutrient for something else. That’s how our cities should function, too: as material banks, not waste factories.

It means ending the extraction of virgin resources and working with what we already have, using clean, renewable energy sources wherever possible.

Q: You founded Alted to help shift the construction industry—can you tell us what the company stands for?

Alted was born to accelerate the adoption of circular materials in architecture. We’re not just creating low-impact products—we’re working to make them practical and desirable for the industry.

Our first product, the Paper Waste Panels, is made from 98% cellulose waste, all sourced post-consumer or from the paper industry. And they’re recyclable again at the end of their lives.

Our goal is to show that circular design isn’t just possible—it can be beautiful, functional, and accessible.

Q: What inspired you to start Alted in the first place?

I studied industrial design and worked at major design studios in London and Stockholm. In Sweden, I helped develop a chair made from recycled wood shavings and polypropylene. We were proud—it was recyclable! Keep in mind: the average life span of the products they sold was 3 months.

But then I learnt that no one was actually recycling it. The infrastructure didn’t exist. Even worse, the company had sold 47 million chairs that year. Most of them would end up in landfills.

That experience changed how I saw my role as a designer. I realised the problem wasn’t just creating new sustainable materials—it was getting them to be used.

Later, back in Barcelona, I worked with Honext, a start-up transforming paper industry waste into building boards. I was blown away by their truly circular process—and it clicked: this was the future I wanted to build. That’s how Alted began.

Q: What’s your take on the current state of the construction industry in Spain?

It’s still very linear. The industry relies heavily on traditional materials like concrete, steel and plaster, and although there’s growing awareness, Spain still lags behind countries like France or Germany when it comes to regulations on material carbon footprints.

That said, we are seeing early adopters—firms and developers who are actively looking for sustainable alternatives.

Q: What do you see as the current main challenge in sustainable construction?

The gap between innovation and implementation. There are so many incredible materials being developed in labs, but few make it to market. We need more investment and political will to bridge that gap.

Q: What do you think is the biggest environmental issue we face today?

Overconsumption and waste. We’re extracting, producing, and discarding at unsustainable rates. Recycling systems simply can’t keep up.

In construction, for example, half the sector’s CO₂ emissions come from the materials themselves, and 90% of demolition waste goes to landfill. That’s unacceptable. We need to design for disassembly, reuse, and re-entry into the material cycle.

Q: Do you think we’ve made significant progress in environmental awareness in recent decades?

Yes—but it’s uneven. People are more aware, and sustainability is on the radar, but it hasn’t yet translated into systemic change. There’s still a lot of greenwashing, and most sustainable options are framed as expensive or difficult. That needs to change. The responsibility can’t just fall on individuals; we need policy and industry to lead the way.

Q: Outside of Alted, what sustainable habits do you follow personally?

I try to live simply: buy less, buy better, and fix things before replacing them. I was vegan, now vegetarian, and I get my produce from a local farmers’ cooperative. I buy second-hand furniture, avoid flying when I can, and travel by train. It’s all about being mindful.

Q: Is there a sustainable architecture project you admire?

Absolutely—Le Magasin Électrique by Atelier Luma in Arles, France. It’s a masterclass in bioregional design. They used local materials and waste—from salt tiles to sunflower fibre acoustics and compacted earth from recycled demolition debris. Even their wastewater is filtered with algae and reused for irrigation. It’s circularity at its best.

Q: Are you optimistic about the future?

I believe the tools already exist—what we need now is the will to use them. It’s not just about raising awareness anymore. We need bold regulation, investment, and systemic change. If we can align innovation, politics, and industry, I think we can get there.

Q: Let’s finish with the Paper Waste Panels. Why are they so important?

Because they’re a real product made with circular principles—already on the market, already in use. They’re decorative panels for walls and ceilings, made from Honext board and a plant-based finish derived from vegetable waste from the food industry. They’re produced locally within a 50km radius, and when their life is over, they’re 100% recyclable.

Thanks to our partnership with FRONT, Paper Waste Panels reach even more architects, builders, and designers who want to make sustainability a visible part of their projects. Our panels are just the beginning—we’re already planning more products to follow.

FRONT is proud to support Alted and distribute their Paper Waste Panels—a step forward in transforming circularity from concept to construction.