Concrete to high quality concrete

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Worldwide, it is estimated that more than 25 billion tons of concrete are used annually. The environmental impact of concrete production is large, as cement is needed in addition to granulate (sand and stones) for the production of concrete. This is not only energy-intensive, but it also ensures a high CO₂ emission. In addition, a large amount of building and demolition waste is released each year. The concrete circle is not closed because the hydrated cement is not separated from the granulates which results in a porous material of lower quality. A better separation of concrete in its constituent components is therefore required. In this project, two innovative technologies are being researched and developed, allowing for the pure separation of the various fractions: microwave treatment of concrete and the Smart Crusher technology. High-quality recycling ensures that sand and granules are reused afterwards and that the cement can be reused as a binding agent. This innovation offers a solution for the growing number of customers who are looking for high-quality (concrete) products with the lowest possible environmental impact. In addition, research is being conducted into alternative and high-quality concrete applications. For example, fabrics will be used instead of steel to reinforce concrete. The use of textile reinforcement allows the production of thinner elements, which leads to lower material consumption, and the problem of concrete rot is remedied as well. For example, during renovation of the 'Vandermeeren student flats' of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, the outermost panels will be installed with textile reinforced concrete.

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