The COMEUP project addresses the issue of reusing non-recyclable plastic waste by developing innovative concretes for the construction sector. By transforming post-consumer plastics into aggregates and fibres, the project aims to create new high-performance structural components with low environmental impact, reducing landfill disposal, and the consumption of natural resources.
The project aims to develop innovative solutions for the reuse of non-recyclable plastic waste in the construction sector, reducing the environmental impact of cementitious materials. The goal is to combine mechanical performance, environmental sustainability and economic efficiency, promoting circular economy principles and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals.
The project foresees the optimization of concrete mixtures containing aggregates and fibres derived from non-recyclable plastic waste, as well as the validation of their mechanical, environmental, and economic performance. Expected outcomes include the identification of sustainable solutions to produce lightweight and high-performance building components, while reducing the use of natural raw materials.
Starting from the recovery of multilayer polyethylene-aluminium-polyethylene terephthalate (Pe-Alu_PET) films, normally destined for landfill, granules were produced and used as aggregate in the production of lightweight and aerated concrete, replacing a portion of the natural aggregates. Starting from the same multi-layer material, calibrated fibres were also developed and characterised, loaded with recycled carbon fibres added to improve their mechanical performance. The composite fibres were used as reinforcement for concrete. These materials represent a promising basis for integration into innovative and sustainable cement mixtures, capable of reducing the ecological footprint of concrete, which is known to have a significant environmental impact.
