May 26 2003
A new research programme of aims to develop innovative construction products using waste from papermills. Work will concentrate on three principal groups of product: renders, blocks and clays; wood based joinery and industrial materials such as additives and extenders.
Funding is by the Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and will be carried out by a partnership involving the Biocomposites Centre (BC) at the University of Wales, the Bridgewater Paper Company and BRE.
The principal objective of the project is to find viable options for the disposal of papermill sludge other than putting it into landfill or landspreading. The goal is to carry out this by identifying six products to be taken ahead into production, after a study of the market and consultation with industry.
Using detailed analysis of the chemical and physical composition of the waste sludge the potential applications will be identified and of samples of product will be produced. The project will conclude in March 2004 with a workshop to present all the developed prototype products and to highlight other findings.
Source: BRE