Valorisation of post-mining wastes with CO2 mineralisation for sustainable construction (RE-mission)

A New Face of Concrete – Sustainable Construction Thanks to Mining Waste

Concrete permeates nearly every aspect of modern architecture - from private homes to glass-and-concrete skyscrapers piercing city skylines. However, it harbors a serious problem: cement, its key ingredient, accounts for nearly 9% of global CO₂ emissions. It is precisely this contradiction - indispensability and environmental harm rolled into one - that became the driving force behind the research of Dr. Eng. Adrian Chajec, who is searching for solutions for the construction industry tailored to climate challenges.

The promising results of his work did not escape the attention of experts: the scientist was qualified for the PRIME grant program, implemented by the Foundation for Polish Science as part of the European Funds for a Modern Economy (FENG) program. This program supports scientists ready to forge laboratory discoveries into real market applications. Dr. Chajec took part in the first edition of PRIME alongside an experienced team: Dr. Eng. Tomasz Marciniszyn serving as Technology Transfer Manager and Paweł Żebrowski as Business Leader - together, they are now developing competencies that will allow them to bring their research beyond university walls.

At the center of Dr. Eng. Adrian Chajec's work is the utilization of quarry waste, which poses a serious environmental and social hazard in many regions. This material - enriched through a CO₂ mineralization process - gains new properties and becomes a valuable substitute for cement in concrete mixes. Consequently, cement consumption can be reduced without compromising the safety and durability of structures.

Although the method used by the researcher is known within the scientific community, it had previously been utilized mainly in the context of recycled powders from old concrete. The results of the team led by Dr. Chajec proved significant - they showed that mining waste can act as a binder modifier in concrete while retaining the technical parameters required in modern construction. They also carry an interdisciplinary dimension - combining materials engineering, the circular economy, and the analysis of the social impact of innovation. Their goal is not only technology development, but also finding practical answers to key questions: how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and how to manage waste safely.

As the scientist himself notes:

"In Poland, we have huge quantities of stone processing waste. We want to give them a second life - not just dispose of them, but utilize them in something durable and useful, like concrete. Today, waste is not garbage - it is a resource. You just need to find a way to use it safely and cost-effectively."

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PRIME is the only "tailor-made" acceleration program for the transfer of knowledge and technology for scientists and their research organizations in Poland, offering support for an individual commercialization path for innovative products. The program provides the opportunity to both develop competencies (e.g., training) and acquire practical skills (e.g., talks with potential recipients). For the authors of the best ideas, individualized support is provided to implement the chosen commercialization path. The PRIME project is financed by the European Funds for a Modern Economy (#FENG) program. The project is implemented by the Foundation for Polish Science (#FNP).