The collaboration between Luleå University of Technology (LTU) and The Arctic University of Norway (UiT), established during the Ar2CorD project, brought researchers together to develop a modified freeze-thaw method for assessing concrete durability. Iveta Novakova, the project manager, traveled to LTU to finalize the findings of the Ar2CorD project, meet the Building Materials (BM) Research Group led by Andrzej Cwirzen, and plan future cooperation within the recently launched Catalis project.

Magdalena Rajczakowska organized an intensive program for the visit, including a lab tour, a seminar where Iveta introduced her DeTeA research group, and meetings with senior researchers from the BM group. These discussions explored overlapping competencies and defined new pathways for collaboration.

Activities within WP2 of Ar2CorD, which focused on frost degradation of concrete, generated extensive data that led to the development of a new freeze-thaw test setup. By combining freeze-thaw results with isothermal calorimetry data, Magdalena Rajczakowska established a relationship between curing duration and the type of low-carbon binder used. This innovative approach will be further validated on a larger set of specimens in a follow-up project, for which the Ar2CorD consortium has already secured funding.

The Catalis project, funded by Interreg WPA and Aurora, serves as a bridge between the ongoing Offwind and Ar2CorD projects, fostering mutual cooperation and exploring new research opportunities. Iveta’s visit to LTU sparked engaging discussions, new ideas, and plans for an LTU PhD student to visit UiT Narvik in June 2026. Such research visits not only strengthen collaboration but also bring friendships, which are crucial for successful partnerships.