It depends on their legal status, properties and method of use. UPS can be treated as waste, by-products, substances or materials that can be used economically after meeting certain criteria. What is crucial is not the origin of the material itself, but its quality, safety of use, documentation and compliance with the requirements for a given application.

UPS are used, among others, in the production of cement, concrete, hydraulic binders, road materials, geotechnics, mining, recultivation and in selected material technologies. However, each application requires an individual assessment of material parameters, including chemical composition, physical properties, washability and compliance with relevant standards.

The use of UPS can reduce the consumption of natural resources, reduce the amount of materials sent to landfills and support a circular economy. In many cases, the use of secondary materials also brings technological, economic and environmental benefits. However, this requires responsible material qualification and quality control.

'Priority to secondary' means that, where technically, environmentally and economically justified, secondary materials should be considered over primary raw materials. It is not about automatically replacing one material with another, but about rational use of resources that have already been created in the economy.

CIMA supports the development of knowledge, cooperation and practical solutions related to the use of anthropogenic minerals, including combustion by-products. Assistance may include expert consultations, analysis of possible applications, support in the interpretation of technical and regulatory requirements, as well as building cooperation between science, industry and administration.