Project description
Fast-tracking low-carbon cement for a circular future
Construction waste accounts for over one-third of EU waste. The slow hydration of low-carbon cement limits early strength development. Understanding the interactions in Portland cement-carbonated recycled concrete powder (PC-CRCP) blends is crucial for improving the hydration process scientifically rather than through trial and error. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the Syn4WCO2-Cem project aims to promote a circular economy in the construction sector, in line with the European Green Deal. The project focuses on treating RCP by capturing CO2 from cement plant flue gases and developing low-carbon cement composites using CRCP. It will use advanced X-ray techniques to visualise the hydration process of this low-carbon cement, helping to accelerate this slow process.
Objective
Portland cement (PC) production is responsible for 7% of global CO2 emissions, and construction and demolition waste represent the largest waste stream in the EU, accounting for over one-third of all waste. These factors pose significant threats to sustainable development. To address these challenges, the Syn4WCO2-Cem project aims to align with the European Green Deal by promoting a circular economy within the construction sector. The primary objective of the project is to treat recycled concrete powder (RCP) by capturing CO2 from cement plant flue gases and to develop low-carbon cement composites using carbonated RCP (CRCP). One of the main challenges of low-carbon cement is its slow hydration kinetics within the first three days, which impedes the development of early strength. Currently, the particle dissolution rates in PC-CRCP blends and their C-S-H gel shell feature are not well understood. Gaining insight into the interactions between these parameters and strength-enhancing admixtures is crucial for accelerating the hydration process in a more mechanistic and scientifically grounded manner, rather than relying on the current trial-and-error approaches. The project seeks to address this critical knowledge gap by training fellow at the host institution (UMA) and utilizing advanced X-ray tools, including laboratory and synchrotron-based in situ X-ray imaging and diffraction, to visualize the hydration process of this low-carbon cement family. This comprehensive approach will help clarify the underlying mechanisms of the slow hydration process and develop effective strategies to accelerate it. The interdisciplinary innovation in this project will ensure that this low-carbon cement can achieve a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to traditional PC-based binder while maintaining competitive performances. The project offers a unique opportunity for fellow to gain a competitive edge in the emerging field of “sustainable and green building materials”.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
29016 MALAGA
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.