nir-vana innovation network

A laboratory of a Greek public university is specializing to circular economy practices concerning industrial symbiosis matters such as innovation on solid and liquid waste valorization, and water and energy savings. Through their research, different types and proportions of inorganic and organic wastes tested as substitutes to the clay raw material used in the ceramic industry. They achieved the recovery of by-products and/or waste, of solid wastes through their incorporation into ceramic clay soils for the production of structural ceramic materials with advanced structure and low environmental footprint. Until now most of solid waste is difficult to be recycled and disposed. In most of the cases the resulting material could not deteriorate their physico-mechanical properties
The result of the process is on the one hand to dispose properly and safely these waste materials without deteriorating their physico-mechanical properties and on the other hand achieving special material structure which leads to improved thermal and noise insulating capabilities. A variety of solid wastes could be used (e.g. municipal sewage sludge, electric arc furnace dust, red mud, mill scale etc).
The laboratory would like to cooperate with heavy clay ceramic industries, in order to transfer the laboratory’s know-how and solve related issues. The type of partnership considered is commercial agreement with technical assistance.

Advantages & innovations

Different types and proportions of inorganic and organic wastes tested as substitutes to the clay raw material used in the ceramic industry. The advantages of reuse/recycling of the different waste streams in the clay raw materials in terms of the final ceramic product are: -Quality and availability of the residues in case used on a large scale -Not deteriorate the physico-mechanical properties of the waste and waste by-products -Final ceramic products with the same or better performance compared to the original which leads to improved thermal and noise insulating capabilities -Environmentally acceptable final ceramic products causing no danger to human health. -Low raw material cost

Stage of development

Available for demonstration

Partner sought

The laboratory would like to cooperate with heavy clay ceramic industries, in order to transfer the laboratory’s know-how for the production of structural ceramic materials with advanced structure and low environmental footprint using solid waste. The type of partnership considered is commercial agreement with technical assistance.The partner could adopt the technology and produce the ceramic material from solid waste