Objectives

• The building sector consumes large amounts of raw materials, with significant quantities of concrete and other materials used to construct new homes, offices and other buildings. The aim of the VEEP project was to develop and demonstrate a series of technological solutions for the massive retrofitting of our built environment to recycle concrete and demolition waste and reduce building energy consumption. One important part of this work involved developing novel pre-cast concrete elements (PCE), in which a high proportion of construction and demolition waste (C&DW) is embedded.

• Improvement of the innovation capacity of the construction sector to stimulate new growth and jobs creation

  The ambition of the VEEP project related to different aspects, both to the technological & new processes development and to new materials & products development as described in the following technological development.

  VEEP project developed the following advanced recycling technologies:

  1) Advanced Drying Recovery (ADR) redesigned for modular construction and efficient onsite transportability and lightweight (LW) concrete recycling;

  2) Innovative mobile Heating-Air classification System (HAS) Pilot Plant (3ton/hour);

  3) Combined ADR + HAS technology for simultaneous production of recycled concrete particles;

  4) Ultra-fine wet grinding and health-safety refining technology.

VEEP Project video

Materials development

New concrete formulations for normal and lightweight concretes presenting mechanical properties and durabilities suitable for precast concrete.

New and green cement formulations have been developed showing even better characteristics than the reference (with no CDW material).

A greener and more resistant Silica Aerogel, which is one of the best materials for insulation application.

Manufacturing development

Hybrid traditional and 3D printing technology VEEP created plastic sides and shuttering pieces for the horizontal formworks aiming to produce cost-effective sustainable aerogel composites guaranteeing thermal conductivities of 0.015 W/mK & reduction in energy consumption and consequent cost.

Product development

Two novel cost-effective energy-efficient precast concrete panel solutions containing high level (>75% by weight) of C&DW recycled materials will be developed through the smart combination of concrete, cost-effective aerogel and plastic sides and shuttering pieces.

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