Projects in the Thematic Area
There are 64 results.
CreeS - Chromium-free Slag
The project develops an innovative technological approach to producing chromium-free stainless steel slags (EDS) for sustainable cement and steel industries. By removing heavy metals and recycling material streams, it enables resource-efficient utilization, reducing CO₂ emissions, conserving natural resources, and promoting the circular economy. The comprehensive process delivers ecological and economic benefits, applicable to various slag types.
Sustainable catalyst-coated electrodes for efficient AEM electrolyser production (SAEP)
The SAEP project focuses on the development of anion exchange membrane electrolyzers (AEMEL) for the cost-effective production of green hydrogen through the development of catalysts without platinum group metals. Led by TU Graz, Joanneum Research, and Duramea, the project focuses on roll-to-roll scalable electrode manufacturing with enhanced performance and durability. Innovative pre-/post-treatment and energy-efficient drying methods ensure defect-free, corrosion-resistant electrodes. A life cycle analysis integrates circular economy principles to optimize resource efficiency and minimize waste, fostering sustainable and high-performance AEMEL electrode production in Austria.
Green-TUrbine - Sustainable Manufacturing and Lifecycle Optimization for Pelton Runners through Wire-Arc Additive Manufacturing
The Green-TUrbine project investigates the integration of WAAM technology into the lifecycle of Pelton turbines to enhance their sustainability. The principles of "Rethink, Reduce, Reuse" are applied to optimize manufacturing, resource consumption, and the reuse of the runners. A comprehensive LCA will evaluate the ecological and economic impacts.
AI-driven decontamination technologies for repurpose/recycle to meet food-contact regulations using light (Light-AIClean)
The project aims to develop a chemometrics-assisted decontamination (DC) process for waste plastic with AI-driven quality control and a renewable energy-based DC technology. By utilizing visible light and a reusable catalytic system, it seeks to replace resource-intensive methods like hot water washing and gamma irradiation. AI techniques, including neural networks and reinforcement learning, will optimize efficiency, reducing resource use. The process will be tested in a photoreactor and automated DC setup, benefiting the recycling industry, AI developers, and environmental sustainability while promoting circular economy principles.
CSR:H - Circular Social Residency Informationhub
CSR:H is developing an innovative prototype for the survey and evaluation of the potential for the subsequent use of the building stock of social housing developers. Development of an innovative tool that uses archive data to optimize the use of building materials/products after their first phase of use and the long-term planning and operational implementation in social housing. It combines early predictions of the strategic utilization of resources with post-use scenarios and take-back agreements.
SLEEVE – Packaging and process optimisation of plastic packaging with sleeves
Development and design of selected and recyclable plastic packaging with sleeves that can be sorted and processed into high-quality recyclates. All the factors along the value chain are considered (design, consumer behaviour, sorting, recycling) in order to optimise the product cycle in the best possible way and maximise recyclate quantities and qualities.
Electrify-CerAMics – Additive manufacturing of electrically conductive ceramics for hydrogen production processes
The Electrify-CerAMics project is developing material and processing strategies for new electrically conductive ceramic materials for chemical conversion processes that can be structured using lithography-based ceramic manufacturing (LCM) and in which electrically conductive phases can be generated in a targeted manner.
NatMatSave30! – substitution of naturally mined raw materials to achieve material-footprint goals in 2030!
Blast furnace slag (BFS) is a waste product in a steel manufacturing process and is available regularly and in huge amounts. It should substitute naturally mined, mineral raw materials. This means also calcium carbonates, which are used in building industry and are responsible for ca. 50 % of the domestic material consumption of 167 Mio tons. By wet-milling BFS it’s oxides should be able to form calcium carbonate again by recarbonatisation with CO2 from the surrounding atmosphere.
KI4COMP - AI-based prediction of moisture distribution in composites
The project aims to develop an AI model for predicting moisture distribution and the mechanical properties of composite materials under various environmental conditions. By using integrated sensors and machine learning, more precise and easily accessible predictions can be achieved. This facilitates material development, reduces testing efforts, and promotes sustainable innovations through the increased use of natural fibers.
KRAISBAU - Development of AI tools for a transformation to a circular economy along the life cycle of buildings
The BMK lead project KRAISBAU is a collaboration of 32 partners for the realization of a sustainable and circular construction industry. The project focuses on the development and implementation of AI-supported solutions in circular construction along the entire value chain. The knowledge gained is disseminated through factsheets, roadmaps and training courses with the aim of establishing scalable and efficient approaches for existing buildings.
StraTex ‐ Sorting and processing strategies for used textiles to produce recyclable fractions
In StraTex, suitable, economically viable and holistic strategies for the collection, processing and automated sorting of mixed non‐reusable textiles are being developed and experimentally implemented in order to increase the proportion of marketable fractions for high‐quality material recycling (preferably fibre2fibre).
PolyBacTex - Converting mixed textile waste into recycled fibres and cellulose for sustainable production
The project PolyBacTex is developing a solution for recycling of used mixed textiles by chemically separating and biotechnologically upgrading the individual fibre types (cellulose and polyester). This allows cellulose fibres to be recovered and returned to the fibre production process.
NaKaReMa - Improving the sustainability of cable sheathing through regional, bio-based and recycled materials
The NaKaReMa project takes a holistic approach to cable sheathing for automotive applications and their improvement in terms of sustainability. To this end, various approaches are being investigated - both regional raw material sources to reduce transport routes and bio-based raw materials to reduce dependence on crude oil. The use of recyclates from cable sheathing to close the cycle through recycling is also being investigated.
ReNew PV - Coating to increase the service life of PV modules with damaged backsheets
The ReNew PV project focuses on the development of lifetime-extending coating solutions for the backsheets of PV modules. The focus is on a protective coating to restore the electrical resistance and on the repair of cracked or mechanically damaged backsheets.
CircularFood - High-quality products through cascading recycling cycles of residual materials from the food industry
The CircularFood project investigates the material and energetic cascading use of organic food residues from Austrian food production. The aim is to develop innovative processes for the extraction of high-quality protein components, liquid biofertilizers, organic plant substrates and peat substitutes in order to promote the circular economy and reduce CO2 emissions.
Pyrolysis technologies in Europe
Technology overview of medium-fast pyrolysis for decentralised applications, for small and medium-sized enterprises and for the circular economy
Repair initiatives in Europe: innovations, business models, recommendations. Experiences from the PREPARE network
The European Union and many countries in Europe have begun to take individual measures to-wards “increasing the repair rate” here and there. With the help of surveys and interviews, which were carried out with the support of contacts provided by the “PREPARE” network, which has ex-isted for almost 30 years, this work collects information about such measures in other European countries - especially regarding “best practice examples” and “lessons learned” – and analyzes their transferability to Austria.
Circular Economy Compass (KLW-Komp)
The Circular Economy Compass project has developed a responsive online self-assessment tool for the circular economy in SMEs. Based on a theory-based evaluation scheme, it is be possible to determine a company's degree of preparedness for a circular economy at a reasonable cost. To this end, the tool has a computational logic that automatically generates a circularity score (KPI, Key Performance Indicator) based on the answers.
NNATT - Sustainable use of excavated materials from civil engineering and tunnelling using sensor-based technologies
The holistic system developed in the NNATT project for the sustainable utilisation of excavated materials starts with the geology and extends through the construction process to recycling. With the help of sensor-based real-time analyses and an AI-supported decision matrix, excavated materials are separated and further developed into customised products.
CEPAM – Circular Economy Powder for Additive Manufacturing
In the CEPAM research project, a recycling process for high-quality metal powders for additive manufacturing is developed. Various methods of energy input are being evaluated for energy efficiency, scalability and powder quality and built up on a pilot scale. The recycled metal powder is characterized and processed in the Laser Powder Bed Fusion process. In order to compare the mechanical properties of the printed components, parts are printed from both new and recycled powder.