About

Project Summary

The main objective of the project “Materials for circular economy - industrial waste based geopolymers composites with hybrid reinforcement” is to design & characterize new eco - friendly geopolymers (GPs) composites based on industrial and mining wastes, ideal for contribution to a circular economy. Furthermore, hybrid reinforcement for the material is planned to improve the mechanical and functional properties by using glass minibars, basalt fibers and other waste materials used as fibers or particle additives. Designed GPs composites will be dedicated for civil engineering applications such as precast elements predominantly for marine ambient applications and industrial floors. The project is important for the development of science as well as practical (industrial) applications.The project proposal is based on state-of-the-art science & knowledge and creates new added value through international cooperation between Norway, Iceland, Poland, Romania and the Czech Republic. The GEOSUMAT consortium consists of experts from scientific institutes with a background of chemistry, material technology, and environmental issues, which are indispensable for developing new materials, in this case, GPs with fiber reinforcement. The research-oriented part of the team is completed by companies that are eager to be at the forefront of building material evolution and adopt a sustainable approach by replacing currently used building materials with a limited life span. Driving forces for the development of GP with hybrid reinforcement are:

• The use of local waste sources that are currently landfilled or used in a limited amount - increase reuse and recycling level (by at least 20%) to extend landfills lifetime
• Reduction of CO2 emissions compared to conventional cement bound concrete (up to 80%) as GPs are a potential replacement for cement - reduction of cement production which accounts for 8% of all CO2 anthropogenic emissions. 
• CO2 capture in GP during the casting, curing or bonding CO2 during a lifetime - covering all stage reduction of CO2 “production - curing - life”. 
• Use of local resources and contribution to local businesses - elimination of transportation, underline implementation of circular material flow and circular economy. 
• Common goal for environmentally friendly solutions with emphasis on natural resources preservation. 
• Increased durability ensures a longer life span compared to traditionally used materials (concrete or autoclaved aerated concrete); development of long life and durable material that can perform well in harsh conditions.  
• Knowledge exchange is necessary for accelerating material development at the research level and is connected to faster uptake in the industry. 

Objectives

• Specific scientific objectives
• Development of knowledge about raw and secondary raw materials and their properties, especially those originating from industrial waste.
• A better understanding of the mechanism for the design of GPs composition from different raw materials (precursors) with hybrid reinforcement, allowing the development of GPs as construction materials
• Optimization process of synthesis of GPs, namely by changing the precursors blends and maximum particle size, development of GPs with tailored properties.
• Specific technical objectives
• Analysis of practical applications, especially analysis & optimization of the structure, mechanical properties and utility designed composites & pre-evaluation for selected applications, analyzes of challenges for new materials, specifically their potential for practical applications in harsh environments with long-term durability. 
• Analysis of practical applications for raw materials extracted from locally available industrial or mining waste
• Benchmarking of fiber reinforced GPs with other competing products existing inthe market.
• Specific socio-environmental-economic objectives
• Contribution to a circular economy, including waste reduction - opportunity to use locally available industrial wastes as a secondary raw material for GPs production. 
• Industrial production of GPs with potential CO2 emissions sequestration, novel carbon - neutral material, will contribute to fighting climate change
• Growth of experience for all project participants through exchanging knowledge

Expected results

Planned results are min. 2 functional samples and min. 1 utility model. The
functional sample wil  l be a high-performance composite for applications in
harsh environments, including “on air” as  well as underwater (shallow salt
and fresh water, including where pollution is present) application. It answers
the need for more durable materials for construction purposes in harsh
environments. The composites could find application for construction
elements  such as quays, slabs, bricks,  plates, panels, etc., intended for use
in the construction industry, and is planned to classify as new
environmentally friendly materials that could be used as an alternative to
traditional materials,  with one or a combination of several of the following
properties: 

• Eco - friendliness - made with min. 50% from the waste stream in composition by weight
  (expected 80%) and cost - effectiveness
• Uniaxial compressive strength: min. 50 MPa at 28 days (test according to: EN 12390‐3)
• Flexural strength: min. 8 MPa at 28 days (test according to: EN2390‐5 and EN14651) 
• High early strength formulation min. 60% of final values ​​after 12 hours (cured at
  defined / elevated temperature)
• Freeze - thaw: mass loss max. 0.2%, strength loss max. 5% after 180 cycles
• Resistance in temperatures between ‐20 and 60 degrees Celsius
• Low water absorption <5%
• High water resistance> W8
• High resistance to abrasion
• Safe long-term durability
• Lack of toxicity
• Resistance to chemical attack: salt, chloride, sulfur

Partners

• UiT -   The Arctic University of Norway
• Gerosion
• CUT -   Cracow University of Technology
• GORTECH
• UBB  - Babeș-Bolyai University
• CTU  - Czech Techncal University in Prague
• CHEMSTR  -  ŠAFAŘÍK company
• ReforceTech AS

Funding

The project is being funded through M-era.Net which is a European network of public funding organizations supporting and increasing coordination and convergence of national and regional funding programs on research and innovation related to materials and battery technologies to support the European Green Deal. The individual local funding organizations are:

• The Research Council of Norway (No. 338117)
• The Icelandic Center for Research - Rannis (2115080-0611)
• Polish National Center for Research and Development (M-ERA.NET3/2021/70/GEOSUMAT/2022)
• UEFISCDI Romania
• Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TH80020002)

Acknowledgment for project GEOSUMAT:

The outcome has been achieved with the support of M.era-Net Call 2021, Project No. 9262 and financial support from Norwegian Research Council Project No. 338117.