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Matmap, online platform for the decentralized sale of recovered ceramics for construction
Published on 10 March 2021
Spain
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About this good practice
MatMap's philosophy is to renew the production model of the construction sector, making it more sustainable, favouring that materials that would potentially be discarded are reincorporated into the construction market.
The online platform (of decentralized sales) facilitates connecting professionals who have recovered construction materials, have work surpluses, stock remains or produce ecological materials, with buyers. The platform is specialised in ceramics materials, although there are also other materials available.
The business model of the platform is based on a small percentage of each transaction. Matmap does not have warehouses so its costs are very low, which allows them to work with low percentages.
The platform makes it easier for companies offering materials (manufacturers, warehouses, builders, and demolitionists) to gain visibility by reaching even greater number of clients and allows obtaining benefits from materials that were to be discarded and withdrawn from the market, also reducing the costs associated with their recovery. Clients interested in developing more sustainable and circular projects find more competitive prices compared to other newly produced materials. The platform aggregates the offer of warehouses, demolition companies, distributors, etc. that work with recovered materials, what reduces also customers search time. For the last, logistic management for materials transportation in included in the service.
The online platform (of decentralized sales) facilitates connecting professionals who have recovered construction materials, have work surpluses, stock remains or produce ecological materials, with buyers. The platform is specialised in ceramics materials, although there are also other materials available.
The business model of the platform is based on a small percentage of each transaction. Matmap does not have warehouses so its costs are very low, which allows them to work with low percentages.
The platform makes it easier for companies offering materials (manufacturers, warehouses, builders, and demolitionists) to gain visibility by reaching even greater number of clients and allows obtaining benefits from materials that were to be discarded and withdrawn from the market, also reducing the costs associated with their recovery. Clients interested in developing more sustainable and circular projects find more competitive prices compared to other newly produced materials. The platform aggregates the offer of warehouses, demolition companies, distributors, etc. that work with recovered materials, what reduces also customers search time. For the last, logistic management for materials transportation in included in the service.
Resources needed
It started in 2018 with 2 people (FTE) on staff and now has 5 people. The company got ERDF funds in 2018 (6800€, with 65% of own co-financing) to adapt the platform to construction materials commercialization specificities (it started in WordPress). It also went through many accelerator programmes.
Evidence of success
The project starts in incubator mode in 2017. The company started running in 2018 making the first sales. From 2018 to 2019 MatMap tripled its turnover and in 2020 they have doubled the figures of previous year.
Matmap has reached more than 650 clients (including companies and individuals).
Since its creation until now, the company has received multiple awards and recognitions at the regional, national and international levels.
Matmap has reached more than 650 clients (including companies and individuals).
Since its creation until now, the company has received multiple awards and recognitions at the regional, national and international levels.
Potential for learning or transfer
Initiatives like this are not new, however so far it has been practically the only platform operating under this model in Spain. There are other platforms operating in the second-hand market, but they are not specialized in the construction sector, so they are not adapted to the specific needs of this type of product, which cannot be distributed by the usual channels of transport and delivery. We can also find many e-commerce platforms for new construction materials (not specialized in recovered materials), and demolition companies’ online platforms which offer a limited catalogue of available products.
The model can be easily transferred to other regions, and the product categories they offer could be expanded. The main difficulties encountered by this platforms and any other company working with recovered materials, (and which hinder to a certain extent a greater expansion in the markets) are related to the required construction products' CE markings, performance requirements, etc.
The model can be easily transferred to other regions, and the product categories they offer could be expanded. The main difficulties encountered by this platforms and any other company working with recovered materials, (and which hinder to a certain extent a greater expansion in the markets) are related to the required construction products' CE markings, performance requirements, etc.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Matmap
Spain
Comunitat Valenciana
Contact
Project Manager