UiT The Arctic University of Norway

About

The team from UiT has a good foundation for developing new materials for the building industry. The facility for test performance and skilled operators are available for the Ar2CorD project. The Research Group is focused on building materials, exclusively concrete, and is eager to prepare and introduce to the market new sustainable material with a reduced carbon footprint. UiT is focused on the reuse and recycling of construction and demolition waste in various forms and has projects focused on these problems. Furthermore, there are EEA grants, Baltic Research Programme, research projects focus on the utilization of various fiber types (size, material) in cementitious materials and their contribution to the mechanical properties of the final composite.

Role - Project coordinator

The main role of UiT is to manage and lead the project. The leader's role is very important in order to achieve good results and transmit the results to the research community and industry. Both mentioned directions (research community and industry) follow different media and obtain news from different platforms. UiT will ensure that the results will be delivered in an understandable form and potentially ready to be integrated into the industry, particularly the concrete industry. The second role of UiT will be the design and establishment of a long-term durability testing facility in Narvik Harbour. There is no such testing facility in Northern Norway or the northern part of any other Scandinavian country.

Lulea University of Technology

About

The research group of Building Materials focuses on research and development of sustainable green concretes based on full or partial replacement of Portland cement with alternative binders. The research also includes the determination of their long- and short-term performances including durability when exposed to Arctic conditions. There is still little knowledge in long-term performance especially frost durability testing which will be addressed in preparing a proposal. 

Role - Project partner

LTU will mainly contribute to frost durability testing and will support other partners in developing and testing concretes based on low CO2 footprint types of cement. Furthermore, extensive experience in the area of ​​alternative cementitious binders will be used in the WP1. The LTU groups of building materials have several ongoing projects related to the mechanochemical activation of natural clay and mining waste, the development of geopolymer concretes and concretes with large amounts of BFS.

University of Oulu

About

In the area of ​​inorganic materials and circular economy the emphasis of research is on alternative binders from industrial sidestreams, processing of supplementary cement for improving reactivity and utilization of them in concrete and geopolymer materials. The FPE unit works in close collaboration with industrial companies in several regionally and nationally funded projects. This project complements the previous and ongoing activities related to inorganic binding materials by further developing the technology suitable for arctic conditions. The FPE unit works in close collaboration with industrial companies in several regionally and nationally funded projects.This project complements the previous and ongoing activities related to inorganic binding materials by further developing the technology suitable for arctic conditions. The FPE unit works in close collaboration with industrial companies in several regionally and nationally funded projects. This project complements the previous and ongoing activities related to inorganic binding materials by further developing the technology suitable for arctic conditions.

Role - Project partner

FPE from the University of Oulu will perform WP1 "Low carbon concrete for arctic environment" which aims to produce concrete with industrial side-streams that could also resist the harsh weather for the arctic region. This enables the use of local industrial side stream materials as a secondary raw material and also develops a low carbon concrete mix. UOULU has the knowledge and competence to perform screening tests on several industrial side streams and their potential to be used as supplementary cements or alternative binders. Experts at FPE will contribute to the treatment methods to improve the reactivity of identified alternative binders using the already proven methods such as mechanochemical or thermal activation.FPE also performs life cycle analysis (LCA) on the material development and provides recommendations for how it will be most profitable to apply specific methods for this purpose. Finally, supplementary cement or alternative binders (including alkali-activated materials) would be suggested based on the low carbon and energy accountability, also the profitability. In this work package, suitable alternative aggregates such as recycled concrete aggregate will also be used for the final concrete mixes, to make it more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Furthermore. UOULU will participate in all the work packages for successful realization of the project tasks
and will also actively disseminate the results.

Reykjavik University

About

Reykjavik University (RU) together with Icelandic Building Research has been a forerunner in several developments regarding high-performance concrete. For instance, the Ecocrete® concept, which has an exceptionally low carbon footprint and durability properties, except it is not frost resistant. A major focus in research has been on the use of supplementary cementitious materials (SEM) as a replacement for cement, to reduce carbon footprint as the SEM can also enhance several durability properties of concrete, but generally lead to poorer frost resistance of the concrete. There is though one SEM, Basaltic glass, that our research indicates will significantly improve the frost resistance of the low carbon concrete (LCC). RU will play a key role in mix-design of the LCC,

Role - Project partner

Reykjavik University (RU) will be leading the WP1.B Low Carbon Concrete, which will focus on mix-design (concrete formula) with emphasis on the binder composition (the matrix) for very low-carbon concrete. The binder volume will be evaluated and adjusted depending on locally available materials as well as reference mix composition will be established. Research on chemical admixture, as well as admixture interaction, will be focused on in the research to establish proper air-void structure and microstructure in very low carbon concrete to ensure good durability.Synchronize work in the various participating partners/countries on going from the prescription-based specification of the concrete towards performance-based specification (P2P) where criteria are for mechanical and durability properties are required instead on for instance, minimum cement content or water- cement ratio. Naturally, research will also be conducted at RU under the other work packages like WP2.A with durability testing and WP3 – Environmental impact with live cycle assessment analysis and EPD. Additionally, we will emphasize on regulation and standardization also with The Icelandic Housing and Construction Authority which is an associated partner in this research project.

Heidelberg Materials Cement Norway

About

Heidelberg Materials Cement Norge (former NORCEM AS) is the leading Norwegian supplier of cement, the main component of concrete. Our distribution network consists of depots all along our coast, and we are the sole producer of cement in our country, with plants in Brevik and Kjøpsvik. Heidelberg Materials Cement Norge is the leading Norwegian supplier of cement, the main component of concrete. Our distribution network consists of depots all along our coast, and we are the sole producer of cement in our country, with plants in Brevik and Kjøpsvik has several competencies relevant to the project. We will be able to supply the project with the relevant cementitious materials necessary for the project.Furthermore, we have a good overview of the challenges related to the certification and standardization of new cement and concrete types and the challenges associated with the adoption of new test methods and acceptance criteria in the Standards. Knowledge in this field is necessary to design and perform research that can have an impact on new application rules for Low Carbon Concrete in arctic areas.

Role - Project partner

Heidelberg Materials Cement Norge is the leading Norwegian supplier of cement, the main component of concrete. Our distribution network consists of depots all along our coast, and we are the sole producer of cement in our country, with plants in Brevik and Kjøpsvik will supply materials and perform some experimental analyzes for the project. Heidelberg Materials Cement Norge  will also contribute with consultancy and act as a discussion partner. Personnel from both the laboratory of the Kjøpsvik plant as well as from the R&D Department of Heidelberg Materials Cement Norway will contribute.

Heidelberg Materials Concrete Sweden

About

Heidelberg Materials Concrete Sweden (former Bentongindustri) has a long tradition and expertise in the development of concrete and concrete testing which are needed for this project. Heidelberg Materials Concrete Sweden supplies concrete for buildings and infrastructure supporting modern, sustainable society. We have experienced experts in in-situ concrete, transport and concrete pumping. With methods and technology at the forefront, they develop products to meet the needs of customers from Skåne to Norrland . 

Role - Project partner

The main role will be assisting with frost durability testing of concretes but also know-how related to the development and large-scale production of ecological concretes.

BM Vallá ehf.

About

Permagreen Grønland A/S is the main producer of concrete in Greenland and delivers concrete for all various applications. Climate conditions in Greenland are extremely harsh and therefore, concrete has to withstand all exposure classes. Cement as a binder in concrete is imported as admixture. The utilization of locally available SCM would be beneficial in terms of cement supply (transportation) and reduction of CO2 in EPD for individual concrete mixes for various exposure classes. Permagreen Grønland A/S was established in the 1950s and has long experience with concrete production in Greenland. Such an experience is very valuable and can contribute to the correct establishment of a long-term durability testing facility.

Role - Project partner

The role of Permagreen Grønland A/S will be large-scale mixing of low-carbon concrete with SCM, which will be identified in the WP1. Furthermore, Permagreen Grønland A/S will contribute by their knowledge and identification of challenges due to climate conditions. Furthermore, Permagreen Grønland A/S will host the final Ar2CorD project meeting and workshop connected to it. The workshop will be held online and all knowledge gained through the Ar2CorD project disseminated to interested parties.

Associated organizations

Concrete Focus

About

Betongfokus was established on 1 January 2022 as a merger of and continuation of the work in the industry associations Byggutengrenser and Fabeko - Service office. Betongfokus provide services for the members who are manufacturers of ready-mixed concrete in Norway and everyone else who wants to contribute to the work of promoting good solutions with the use of concrete. Betongfokus has around 230 members. In addition to this, Betongfokus provide administrative services for around 75 companies in Fabeko's pump group. These are companies that deliver concrete with mobile concrete pumps from concrete trucks to the contractors on the construction site.

Role - The associated organization to UiT

Betongfocuse will contribute to the project by sharing know-how from the initial networking process which was run together with our Nordic partners, publicity of Ar2CorD project throughout its duration and especially final results, sharing competence and experience in project with /among our members.

Betong Norge - Precast concrete association

About

The Betong Norge - Precast concrete association has roots back to 1928 and currently has 67 main members with a total of 49 factories, 39 associate partners and 19 assembly contractors. The main members traded for NOK 4.5 billion in 2013, with 3,000 employees. The association has member companies in all counties in the country, where they contribute significantly to value creation, employment and involvement in local communities. The assembly companies are an ever-growing member group that gains their interests through the association with the association. Today, 19 assembly companies have joined the association. The companies here contributed in the association's work to build post-graduate modules for assembly managers, chairmen and bosses to meet the requirements of the execution standards (NS-EN 13670). the association'

Role - The associated organization to UiT

Betong Norge will contribute to disseminating knowledge/research created through the Ar2CorD project. Thanks to their robust member database, the project results will be delivered to the correct user, and implementation will be accelerated. Furthermore, Betong Norge is active in organizing regional meetings and attendance of social events for research and the building industry.

Ruskon Betoni Oy

About

RB is a Finnish ready-mix concrete producer mainly in Northern Finland, with a head office operating from the Oulu region. RB is also involved in several other sectors of concrete products such as well rings, concrete weights, concrete foundations and other environmental products. RB is always interested in experimenting with low-carbon concrete products with local materials.

Role - The associated organization to UOulu

RB could provide valuable inputs on practical issues and durability problems the concrete industry faces in real-life scenarios. RB will also share knowledge and know-how on operation methods, conventional materials, the possibility of alternative technologies in concrete manufacturing. RB would support the project with their materials, technology and knowledge sharing for achieving the objectives of Ar2CorD, which eventually would benefit the concrete industry.

Finnish Concrete Association

About

BY is Finnish concrete association which is an independent technical association that promotes the correct use of concrete, with about 500 members representing a wide range of parties involved in concrete construction. The personal members of the Concrete Association are experts in the field and the members of the association are companies in the field. BY is involved in developing guidelines and providing training.

Role - The associated organization to UOulu

By being associated in the project, will help in influencing the policy makes, standard development and also in the dissemination of the project results with the Finnish concrete industries.

Húsnædis- and manvirkjastofnun

About

The housing and construction authority will support the dissemination of results to the Icelandic industry and support the sustainable approach of Iceland. Furthermore, the results of the project might serve as the foundation for new local guidelines and recommendations.

Role - The associated organization to Reykjavík University

Throughout the project, the Housing and Construction Authority will promote the Ar2CorD project and support the seminar held in Iceland.