PROJECTS

SCOPE

Concrete is one of the most consumed materials in the world, accounting for close to 8% of the anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) on the planet. In addition to CO2 emissions, another latent problem in cement and construction industries is the overexploitation of natural resources, both in cement manufacturing and in production of other concrete components, such as mineral aggregates. In this context, it is necessary to develop alternative solutions with a positive impact (regenerative) or with a reduced impact (sustainable). The main objective of the InnoCreteTech project is to map, characterise and disseminate technical and scientific information about available Portuguese industrial waste and by-products, supporting the selection of the best transforming technologies to develop innovative regenerative and sustainable building materials. Thus, a Waste-to-Value Methodology which allows the evaluation of waste and by-products according to different technologies will be proposed.

MAIN OBJECTIVE

Strengthen research, technological development and innovation.

In line with the circular economy models encouraged by the European Commission, which foresees both the reduction of waste generated and its reuse, this project has as its main objective the recovery of waste and industrial by-products through innovative technologies in concrete solutions.

PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND EXPECTED RESULTS

The InnoCreteTech project has a total duration of 18 months and it is expected that the work will take place according to the following structure:

Task 1 - Waste materials and by-products identification and mapping
With this task, it is intended to carry out a detailed survey of national waste materials and by-products, with a view to developing a georeferenced catalogue of the quantitative availability and respective alternatives for the recovery of different waste materials.

Task 2 - Characterisation of waste materials and by-products and selection of technologies
In this task, the intention is to carry out the physical and chemical characterisation of the previously identified waste materials and by-products, with the objective of selecting the best transforming technologies.

Task 3 - Reaction potential and performance by numerical modelling and experimental validation
This task aims to develop and implement numerical simulation models of the reactivity potential of previously selected technologies. It is also planned to evaluate the reactivity degree through the experimental validation of the models.

Task 4 - Technical and sustainability validation of innovative concrete solutions
This task aims to develop and test different prototypes with a view to technical validation of different requirements considering application, functionality, efficiency and durability. It is also planned to carry out a life cycle assessment study that will make it possible to demonstrate the environmental performance of the products developed.