DepolLowC – Depolluting Brownfields Using LowCarbon Binders
DepolLowC is a European research project in which VITO and its partners develop lowcarbon mineral binders for the stabilisation and solidification of contaminants on industrial brownfields and other polluted sites.
Objectives and approach
DepolLowC supports crossborder regions in France, Wallonia, and Flanders in the remediation and redevelopment of former industrial sites (brownfields). The project partners develop lowcarbon binders based on industrial byproducts or secondary raw materials to effectively stabilise and solidify contaminants such as heavy metals. These innovative alternatives reduce environmental impact compared with the use of Portland cement - a much more CO₂ intensive method - and thus contribute to the European Green Deal.
The project assesses the effectiveness of these binders through laboratory testing and field trials. The binders are applied on test sites to demonstrate pollutant stabilisation.
Within the project, VITO is developing binders based on calcined clay. To do this, VITO calcines clayrich materials, such as dredged sediment or soil from brownfield sites. During this process, organic substances are removed. The resulting calcined material is then used as a raw material for new binders capable of immobilising heavy metals in the soil.
Partners and funding
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Project leader: Centre technologique international de la Terre et de la Pierre (CTP, Belgium)
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Project partners: VITO (Flanders), IMT Nord Europe, JUNIA (France)
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Budget: €2,918,293, of which €1,750,976 is funded by ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) and €50.000 by the Province West-Vlaanderen
Want to know more?
Interested in this project? Contact Liesbet for more information.
