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NANO2021-Nanoteknologi og nye materiale

Materials for Circular Economy: Industrial Waste Based Geopolymers Composites with Hybrid Reinforcement (GEOSUMAT)

Alternative title: Materialer til bruk i det grønne skiftet: Geopolymer kompositter med hybrid armering basert på industrielt avfall

Awarded: NOK 5.0 mill.

GEOSUMAT aims to contribute to a circular economy through designing and characterising new eco-friendly geopolymers (GPs) composites with hybrid reinforcement based on waste materials from industries and mining operations. A hybrid reinforcement is designed to improve the mechanical and functional properties of the material using glass, basalt minibars and waste materials as fibres. The GPs designed in GEOSUMAT will be used for civil engineering applications such as precast elements largely for use in harbours and industrial flooring. The key factors driving the development of GPs with hybrid reinforcement are: - To seek environmentally friendly solutions - To increase reuse and recycling of locally available waste materials - To reduce CO2 as GPs are a potential replacement for concrete which is connected to 8% of all CO2 emissions. - To capture and bond CO2 during casting and curing processes - Helping to eliminate long-distance transportation of materials through the use of local resources and participation of local businesses - Contribute to the preservation of natural resources - Extend the lifespan of materials for use in harsh climatic conditions - Influence uptake of industrial practices and accelerate material development. GEOSUMAT will demonstrate the use of new composites in finished components for the construction industry with reduced life cycle costs – materials which are energy efficient, have a reduced carbon footprint, reduce waste materials, and contribute to a truly local circular economy policy.

GEOSUMAT will design & characterise new eco-friendly geopolymers (GPs) composites with hybrid reinforcement based on industrial and mining wastes, to contribute to a circular economy. A hybrid reinforcement for the material is planned to improve mechanical and functional properties using glass and basalt minibars and waste materials used as fibres. Designed GPs composites will be for civil engineering application such as precast elements predominantly for applications in harbours and for industrial flooring. The project's importance is in development of science and potential practical (industrial) application. The driving forces for the development of GP with hybrid reinforcement are: - Increased reuse and recycling of local waste sources - Reduction of CO2 as GPs are potential replacement for concrete (cement production is connected to 8% of all CO2) - CO2 capture in GP during the casting, curing and later-on potential bond CO2 - Use of local resources and contribution to local businesses: elimination of transportation, local circular material flow and circular economy - Environmentally friendly solutions with emphasis on natural resources preservation - Development of durable material for harsh conditions, extension of lifespan in comparison to currently used materials. - Knowledge exchange for accelerated material development and uptake of new industry practices. The project will have a strong impact not only for partner development but also significant influence for science discipline progress with development of collaboration with industrial partners and industrial uptake. Expected results include the design of environmentally friendly and cost-effective high-performance composites with tailored properties. GEOSUMAT will demonstrate the ability of new composites to achieve finished components for the construction industry with reduced life cycle costs (LCC): energy efficient, reduced carbon footprint, waste reduction and adoption of circular economy policy.

Funding scheme:

NANO2021-Nanoteknologi og nye materiale