The characterization and cultivation of tailing dams and waste dumps for the treatment and subsequent recovery of critical raw materials is an actual priority concerning EU member States. This activity is both linked to the purpose of the remediation of old mining sites for a new employment of the area and the soil reuse and to actually developing mining activities.

Cement is one of the most commonly used building materials due to its durability and highly functional properties after hardening. However, its production also has negative environmental impacts, such as the extraction of raw materials, energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Because the volume of concrete being produced every year continues to be very significant, several studies are being developed in an attempt to improve its sustainability by incorporating waste materials in substitution of aggregates, as well as by developing precast solutions.

A promising approach to earth building materials is the compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEB), increasing the processing speed and improving mechanical strength and durability when stabilized with cementitious materials, such as ordinary Portland cement or hydraulic lime. Therefore, the main objective of this project is the innovative production and characterization of more eco-friendly CSEB by using low embody energy recycled cement from waste concrete as a more sustainable stabilizer.

There is a growing understanding of sustainability and economic issues of products in the circular economy sector but few studies on the incorporation of waste or maritime by-products of mollusc aquaculture in construction materials. SHELLTER project - Reuse of aquaculture waste in the development of construction materials - will contribute to the creation of opportunities for the exploitation of oyster shell waste from aquaculture or from invasive species as an industrial product for companies that are committed to the sustainability of construction materials.

NGS is composed of complementary technological Work Packages (WP), with the capacity to autonomously generate Products, Processes, or Services (PPS) for the international market, incorporating innovative technologies that can increase the value over the life of the project. Individually, each WP can operate independently in a specific area of the value chain. However, together they interconnect and build a meaningful circular chain.  Cerena and CQE are involved in the work package 5- Recycling and 2^nd life.

Gold, one of the most precious metals in the world, with estimated reserves of 54,000 ton, can be extracted from primary (mineral deposits) or secondary resources (recycling of printed circuit boards (PCBs)). Ore deposits are becoming poorer and more complex. PCBs exhibit ahigh gold content, but their availability cannot be consistent to justify the investment on a processing plant. 

The overall goal of IProPBio is to exchange complementary theoretical and experimental knowledge of research Staff while looking for innovative answers to such important questions. IProPBio is divided in 4 research-oriented work packages plus two supporting packages for internal knowledge sharing and results dissemination.