BIOprecipitated PHosphates for Improved Low-carbon Innovative Cements (BIOPHILIC)

Ordinary Portland Cement production is estimated to be responsible for about 8% of anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Thus, the civil engineering industry is currently a major contributor to global warming through the use of cement in most new constructions and maintenance of existing infrastructure. Hence there is a lot of research effort internationally to produce low-carbon cements. This study aims to develop novel cements and grouts containing phosphate biominerals produced using the action of microorganisms, as a potentially more sustainable low-carbon cement. Waste materials which can provide phosphorous and/or other required substrates will be used, with the dual advantage of addressing at a time both waste management and low-carbon cement production. The novel cements and grouts will be validated for applications, which use very high amounts of cement: namely to encapsulate waste, improve soil properties (often required in infrastructure works) and for concrete. The project thus addresses a number of environmental challenges linked to infrastructure resilience, infrastructure decarbonisation and waste management (safe waste storage and waste as a resource).