Waste-derived phosphate-based eco-binders for net-zero and circular infrastructure (PHOENIX)

Developing a cement-free binder from waste-derived resources for lower carbon and more circular construction
Five waste-derived resources

Waste-derived phosphate-based eco-binders for net-zero and circular infrastructure (PHOENIX)

Developing a cement-free binder from waste-derived resources for lower carbon and more circular construction
Title:
Funded by:  
Funding amount: €325,434.90
Location: Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­
Dates: 2 September 2026 – 1 March 2029
Project partners: Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Malaysia; Indian Institute of Technology Indore (IIT Indore), India; Recycle it Global Ltd, United Kingdom
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ PI: Dr Boksun Kim
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ staff: Dr Harish Harish
 

Overview

PHOENIX is developing a cement-free binder from waste-derived resources for lower carbon and more circular construction. The project brings together phosphorus-rich sewage sludge incineration ash, acidic waste streams from phosphogypsum, mine drainage and anaerobic digestate, and recycled concrete aggregate to develop an alternative binder for precast construction products.
The project aims to turn waste streams that are commonly treated as disposal challenges into useful resources for construction. The resulting materials will be investigated for mechanical performance, durability and environmental safety before progressing towards pilot-scale precast products such as paving blocks and panels.
Life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis will be used to compare the developed binder with conventional Portland cement and synthetic activators, assessing potential reductions in carbon emissions, resource consumption and cost.

Objectives

  1. Develop a cement-free binder using phosphorus-rich ash and waste-derived acidic activators.
  2. Recover and reuse phosphorus and other valuable components from waste streams.
  3. Incorporate recycled concrete aggregate to increase the circularity of the resulting construction materials.
  4. Assess mechanical performance, durability and environmental safety, including resistance to acid and sulfate exposure, freeze-thaw cycling and heavy-metal immobilisation.
  5. Demonstrate the developed materials through pilot-scale precast products.
  6. Quantify environmental and economic performance through life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis.
  7. Generate evidence to support future standardisation and the wider adoption of waste-derived construction materials.
Cement-free alternative to concrete

PHOENIX brings several difficult waste streams together as potential resources for a new generation of cement-free construction materials.

Our aim is not simply to replace cement, but to develop a more circular binder system that can recover resources, reuse waste and deliver durable construction products.

Harish HarishDr Harish Harish
Research Fellow (Marie Curie)

Context of the issue

Cement production is a major source of global carbon emissions, while the construction sector generates enormous quantities of material waste. At the same time, Europe faces challenges in securing phosphorus, a critical raw material, and in finding beneficial uses for sewage sludge ash and other industrial and municipal waste streams.
Many of these materials are currently managed as waste or require treatment and disposal. Meanwhile, conventional cement-based construction continues to depend heavily on virgin mineral resources and energy-intensive production.

How the project addresses this issue

PHOENIX treats these challenges as interconnected problems and explores whether multiple waste streams can be combined to create a new cement-free binder system.
Phosphorus-rich sewage sludge incineration ash will provide a secondary source of phosphorus, while acidic leachates and other waste-derived liquids will be investigated as alternatives to synthetic chemical activators. Recycled concrete aggregate will also be incorporated to increase the use of secondary resources.
The developed materials will be tested from laboratory-scale formulations through to pilot precast products, alongside durability, environmental safety, life cycle and economic assessment. This integrated approach will help determine whether waste-derived binders can provide a technically viable and environmentally beneficial alternative to conventional cement-based materials.
 
 

Research team

Centre for DecarbOnisation, Resilience and Energy Systems 

We bring together leading researchers from across the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ to develop innovative solutions to the national and global challenges of decarbonising energy systems, strengthening resilience to climate change and security risks, and supporting sustainable economic growth. 
Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy