ECOLISER

Development of eco-binders for soil treatment, waterproofing and roads (ERDF funds)  

The objective of the ECOLISER project portfolio is to develop eco-binder formulations based on secondary materials and/or industrial by-products (iron and steel slag, bottom ash, glass fines, fly ash, dredging products, etc.), which are currently unused, by providing them with value-added opportunities in the materials sector.

The project portfolio will be developed in three main phases:

- a phase of laboratory development of eco-friendly formulations for the three targeted recovery pathways;

- an overall validation phase (experimental bench and pilot site) of the materials treated with eco-binderss, including geotechnical and environmental aspects;

- a phase of continuous evaluation of the performance of the technological solutions implemented in terms of sustainable development, using a multi-criteria life cycle assessment tool (Life Cycle Assessment) that integrates the environmental, societal and economic impact (e.g. certain environmental benefit, but economically unviable solution).

This research involves 4 Research Centres and 4 university laboratories, namely :

- CTP, lead partner ;

- Certech ;

- INISMa ;

- Materia Nova ;

- ULB-4MAT ;

- ULiège-Argenco-GEO³ ;

-ULiège- Argenco-GeMMe ;

-ULiège – Chemical Engineering - PEP’s group

Professor Angélique Léonard's team conducts Life Cycle Analyses (LCA) for the continuous evaluation of the environmental performance of the eco-binder formulations developed. Three recovery pathways are targeted, namely secondary road materials, mechanical soil stabilization and soil sealing.

While awaiting the final formulations of the eco-binders, the group has devoted itself to establishing LCAs for conventional applications. Concerning roads, the group has been interested in the life cycle analysis associated with the construction of roads, for two types of surfacing, hydrocarbon or concrete. After a detailed bibliographical analysis and contacts with industrials in the sector, a comparative LCA was carried out. Concerning the mechanical stabilisation of soils upstream of road construction, LCAs were carried out for the conventional pre-treatment of two types of soil: sandy and clayey. The analysis of the life cycle of the eco-binders is being carried out, in order to make comparisons with conventional products.

Contact: Angélique Léonard, Saïcha Gerbinet