Valorization of industrial wastes: SUS-CON building solutions

This work presents the promising results of the SUS-CON “SUStainable, Innovative and Energy-
Efficient CONcrete, based on the Integration of All-Waste Materials” European project founded by
7FP (duration 2012-2015), dealing with the valorization of industrial wastes used as raw materials for
sustainable building solutions. SUS-CON project aimed at developing new technology routes to
integrate waste materials (e.g., ashes from thermal-power plants; slags from metallurgical plants;
post-consuming plastics used as aggregates and binders) in the production cycle of concrete. The
innovative concretes, developed on lab and industrial scale for ready-mixed and pre-cast applications,
include up to 100% by weight of industrials wastes. The materials result lightweight with high
thermal insulation performance, cost-effective and eco-sustainable with reduced environmental
impact (low embodied energy and reduced CO2 emissions). The developed building solutions might
contribute to the reduction of industrial wastes disposal, with positive impacts also on the
construction sector costs.
Keywords: SUS-CON Project; Industrial Wastes; Eco-Sostainable Concretes; Recycling