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CIRCOMP
What is CIRCOMP

THE PROJECT

The project aims to develop, within circular economy approach, various alternative solutions to the current lack of management of composite material waste, which could instead become a resource for other productions, particularly for the concrete industry, which is constantly seeking secondary raw materials to reduce its high environmental impact.

OBJECTIVES

  1. Verification of different scenarios for the reuse of organic-inorganic composite material waste, currently not adequately managed and therefore destined for disposal.
  2. Development and enhancement of circularity in waste management, promoting the effective reuse of waste in new production cycles, evaluating the best environmental option among the intended uses, taking into account environmental, social, and economic impacts, including technical feasibility and economic viability.
  3. Raising awareness of the “extended producer responsibility” in organizing the waste management system, showing possible uses of waste products other than landfill disposal.
  4. Reduction of raw material and natural resource consumption, by considering the use of waste as partial replacement of aggregates in concrete.
  5. Reduction of CO2 emissions, by partially replacing cement with composite waste material.

METHODOLOGY

  1. Processing of composite material waste to obtain powders/aggregates, and recycled synthetic fibers obtained by extrusion from granules loaded with composite material powders.
  2. Formulation of several concrete mixes containing different percentages of recycled aggregates to replace natural aggregates and/or different percentages of suitably ground composite waste to replace cement.
  3. Experimental evaluation of the chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of the produced concrete, considering both short and long-term performance.
  4. Economic and environmental evaluation through LCA to define the best reuse option for the waste in a new material.
  5. Feasibility study for the activation of green procurement with public administrations.
  6. Dissemination of the achieved results in scientific, technical, and social contexts.
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RESULTS

  1. 1. Providing an alternative solution for the recovery of composite material waste.
  2. Providing concrete producers with a waste material to insert into concrete without compromising the quality and reliability of the produced concrete.
  3. Introducing a new, competitive, and high-value-added product into the construction materials market, capable of combining waste reuse with the improvement of concrete performance, by reusing composite waste for the formation of recycled synthetic fibers.
  4. Promoting products eco-design, providing manufacturing companies with recycled composite material fibers that can be reused for the production of new composite materials, pursuing the development of circularity in waste management and the activation of corporate social responsibility concerning the environmental impact of their production activities.

CIRCOMP project aims to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals set by the 2030 Agenda, with particular reference to priorities: