INNOVATION Programme - Technology Transfer Project SUMOVERA - Substitution of Mineral Oil based concrete mould release agents by non-toxic, readily biodegradable VEgetable oil based Release Agents in the construction industry

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INNOVATION Programme : Vegetable Oil/Fat

Project Abstract

Small and medium sized companies (SME's) in the construction and precast concrete industry face an increasing demand from clients and legal authorities as well as their own employees for environmentally sustainable and with respect to working conditions safer production processes and products. Besides, quality standards for concrete products are continuously rising. These three factors make great demands on the SME's innovation capacity.

The use of concrete mould release agents is a part of the production process in which significant improvements with respect to environment, workers' health and product quality may be achieved. The currently most used mineral oil based products cause depletion of fossil resources, cause pollution of air, water and soil with toxic and poorly degradable compounds and generate hazardous waste which puts SME's on high costs. Besides, fire hazards and exposure to toxic vapours at the workplace are a major concern connected to the mentioned products.

Significant savings can be made on the cost of waste treatment. The current situation in The Netherlands and Finland, and probably in more European countries in the near future, is that waste (e.g. crushed concrete) which contains residues of mineral oil based release agents should be treated as "hazardous waste". A second cost saving may occur for construction companies using release agents outdoors. As a result of spills of release agents, which occur frequently, the soil at the construction site gets polluted with mineral oil.

The project focuses on substituting recently developed non toxic, readily biodegradable and non-flammable VEgetable oil based Release Agents ('VERA') for the traditional mineral oil based products. For the SME's concerned this may result in a number of economic and other benefits. Firstly, safer and healthier working conditions, reducing costs of insurances. Secondly, a reduction of (financial) risks associated with pollution of soil and the generation of hazardous waste. Thirdly, in many cases an improved production performance, giving higher qualified concrete products and finally the possibility to communicate a positive 'green' image to potential clients. Besides, the substitution has shown not to increase total production costs.

On a European level, the innovation may result in a reduced environmental pollution and have a positive impact on workers' health. Furthermore, the switch to vegetable oil based products reduces the use of depletable fossil resources and creates new industrial markets for agricultural products. The latter may result in a reduction of EU subsidies towards farmers and in securing farmers' employment. Besides, the innovation may reduce the administrative effort needed to enforce EU regulations on environment and workers' health.

Although the switch towards VERA has already been proven to be feasible and viable in a number of companies, the market share of VERA is still small at the moment and a strategic technology transfer project is needed to overcome any barriers hindering a more wide adoption of the innovation. A consortium of experts in concrete technology and environmental and occupational hygiene, SME's from the construction and precast concrete industry from The Netherlands, Germany, Finland, Portugal and France as well as the European trade union has been established to execute the SUMOVERA TTP project.

Demonstration projects will be set up in a number of pilot sites in different countries and in various types of production processes, in order to demonstrate the benefits mentioned under a range of production circumstances. Training and advisory facilities for SME's and workers will be organised and information on the health, environmental, technical and economical aspects of the innovation will be collected and disseminated to target markets and target actors. The need for adaptations of the technology to specific circumstances will be studied.

Lessons learned under the project will be disseminated through articles, workshops etc. and may provide useful experiences and expertise to facilitate other, future substitution processes in the construction industry and other sectors of the economy.

Contacts

Contact

• Pieter VAN BROEKHUIZEN / Chemiewinkel Universiteit van Amsterdam / NETHERLANDS