Tools & Technologies

BIM4DW

New BIM-aided-Smart Pre-Demolition (BIM4DW) tool to enable a higher accuracy estimate (>80%) of EBM in pre-demolition waste audits keeping significantly their cost down (<2 €/m2 of built surface). The new BIM -aided tool will be based on faster 3D architectural BIM generation and self-learning algorithms and will include a Demolition decision-making tool (DDM) and associated CE business models to perform more efficient and sustainable EBM management plans and demolition works based on economic, timing, health&safety, quality and environmental criteria.

IAT

Innovative Identification and Authentication Toolkit (IAT) to store, ensure the quality and wirelessly update properties of both reused building components and recovered EBM from the EoL building stage to new buildings (thus, covering tracing in both existing and new building stock). The IAT will be based on contactless tag identification (RFID and QR-code) combined with authentication markers.

CTP

A novel digital EBM traceability service covering the whole circular building supply chain, interconnecting stakeholders and standardizing processes, registering materials modifications and transactions with Blockchain technology. The service will be centered around a novel Cloud Traceability Platform (CTP), which will constitute the converging repository of the system and will feed public data on circular building resources into the EC Raw Materials Information System (RMIS).

Mobile automated sorting line for mixed CDW

An automated highly flexible and mobile prototype sorting line based on Hyper-Spectral Imaging (HSI), machine-learning software, robotic manipulators and jetting systems to increase sorting efficiency of ceramic and concrete fractions, easily adaptable to other mixed demolition waste materials (e.g.mixed polyurethane (PU)/polyisocyanurate (PIR) foams and gypsum).

Thermal attrition mobile combined with ADR

A biofuel based thermal attrition mobile unit combined with the formerly developed Advanced Dry Recovery (ADR) technology for the production of higher quality recycled concrete fine fractions.

In-line quality assessment for concrete aggregates and fines

An innovative in-line Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) quality assessment system, connected with the CTP and combined with the thermal attrition unit and the Heating Air classification System (HAS).

Accelerated carbonation system

Accelerated carbonation to upgrade recycled concrete aggregates and reduce water absorption (<5%), improving technical quality and sequestering CO2.

Microgrinding of ceramic waste

An adapted wet microgrinding process for the generation of nanometer-sized secondary raw material coming from sorted ceramic waste.

Wood waste recycling system

An integrated crushing, sorting and cleaning system for the production of high quality wood fibers.

wood waste

Fast pyrolysis and purification pilot processes aiming to turn the lignin fraction of wood waste into a biophenolic-resin.

Alkali treatment of recycled wood fibers.

Recycled gypsum purification system

Hydrocyclone treatment combined with acid purification to increase the purity of both recycled gypsum from post-consumer plasterboards and synthetic gypsum by-products (e.g. citrogypsum and phosphogypsum).

PU/PIR solvolisis process for the production of recycled polyols

A combined process of sorting, purification and solvolysis for the production of recycled polyols from post-consumer PU/PIR waste.

Superinsulating silica aerogels production system

An optimized continuous production of highly homogeneous silica closed-loop granular aerogels (λ<0.016 W/mK) from high silica content waste (e.g. glass waste, siliceous concrete), using Silicic Acid hydrothermal synthesis and multi-solvent Low Temperature Super-Critical Drying (LTSCD).

Cement and Concrete based products:

1. Eco-Hybrid Cement produced through the combination of CSA cement and Blended Cement with 30 wt% of diverse CDW (brick, concrete, glass and gypsum);
2. Structural concrete elements incorporating >75 wt% of recycled concrete aggregates (coarse, fine and ultrafine fractions) and Eco-hybrid cement;
3. Ultra-lightweight (<450 kg/m3) non-structural wall elements (concrete masonry units) and green wood chip concrete panels (λ between 0.04 and 0.05 W/mK and noise reduction index: 30 dB) containing 100 wt% recycled concrete and alkali treated recycled wood fibers;
4. Demountable pre-cast block based systems produced by rapid carbonation of at least 60 wt% fine recycled concrete fractions leading to at least 100 kg CO2 reduction per ton of product and guarantying U values <0.22 W/m².K.

Ceramic based products:

Novel circular designed ceramic tiles with 30 wt% of ceramic fractions recovered from EBM, 8 wt% of recovered building glass, 10 wt% of recovered concrete and 5 wt% of green water-glass. A novel process based on moderate sintering temperature (<800 ºC in comparison with current 1,200 ºC) will be upscaled leading to ~40% energy reduction.

Wooden products:

 Circular wood fiber insulation panels (λ<0.05 W/mK) produced with at least 50 wt% of high-quality recycled wood fibers and 2.5 wt% of biophenolic-resin from timber waste. 

Aerogel products:

Novel SIlica Closed Loop granular Aerogels-SICLA (λ<0.016 W/mK)) from 100% high silica content building waste; b) New organic granular aerogels (λ<0.018 W/mK) containing at least 10 wt%. of recycled polyol from PUR/PIR.

Gypsum based products:

Novel circular plasterboards designed for multi-life use, containing 35 wt% recycled gypsum, at least 50 wt% replacement of desulphurgypsum (DSG) by alternative purified citrogypsum and phosphogypsum, 100 wt% recycled paper and increased thermal insulation (λ<0.076 W/mK) via the use of SICLA aerogels.

PU based products:

New circular PU insulation panels containing both recycled polyols (15-50 wt%) and porous granular aerogels (silica or PU) leading to λ<0.022 W/mK.