Publications
Access a comprehensive collection of scientific publications and conference papers authored by SNUG partners, detailing the project’s latest research advancements.
Scientific Publications
Authors
Carlos Rodriguez, Fernando Fernandez, Roberto Rodriguez, Marina Sanchez, Pablo Gómez, Felipe Martí, Miriam Hernández and Irene Beleña
Abstract
This research investigates the use of recycled diatomaceous earth (diatomite) from the wine, beer, and oil industries as supplementary cementitious materials in cement-based mixtures. This study aims to reduce embodied energy and promote circular economy practices by incorporating these industrial by-products. The research evaluates the compressive strength, durability, and pozzolanic activity of the mixtures over 7, 28, and 90 days of hydration. The results demonstrate that uncalcined diatoms from wine and oil showed lower compressive strength than natural diatomite, whereas calcination at 500 °C significantly improved performance. Beer diatoms exhibited the lowest mechanical strength because of the organic matter content in their composition. The incorporation of quicklime failed to induce pozzolanic activity in uncalcined diatoms; however, calcination at 500 °C led to improved long-term performance, highlighting the importance of heat treatment for activating diatoms’ pozzolanic properties. This study concludes that recycled diatoms, particularly when calcined, have potential as sustainable cementitious materials.
Type of publication
Journal paper
Publisher
Crystals
Authors
Carlos Rodriguez, Pablo Gómez, Felipe Martí, Sumit Srivastava, Marina Sanchez, Fernando Fernandez, Irene Beleña and Miriam Hernández
Abstract
The environmental impact of traditional construction materials has led to increasing interest in developing more sustainable alternatives. This study addresses the development of low-carbon autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) through the complete replacement of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with ground granulated blast furnace slag (BFS), activated with lime and, in some formulations, supplemented with calcium carbide slag (CCS). Five different AAC mixtures were prepared and evaluated in terms of workability, foaming behavior, compressive strength, phase composition, density, thermal conductivity, and life cycle assessment (LCA). The BFS-based mixtures activated with lime exhibited good workability and foaming stability. After pre-curing, the addition of CCS significantly improved the formation of tobermorite during autoclaving. As a result, the BFS–CCS formulations achieved compressive strengths comparable to the reference OPC-based mix while maintaining low densities (420–441 kg/m3) and thermal conductivities in the range of 0.111–0.119 W/(m·K). These results confirm the technical feasibility of producing structural-grade AAC with a lower environmental footprint.
Type of publication
Journal paper
Publisher
Applied Sciences
Authors
Stefanie Prenner, Thomas W. Bruchmann, Sabine Jung-Waclik
Abstract
The European Green Deal positions the Circular Economy Action Plan as a key strategy for increasing resource efficiency and sustainability. In this regard, circular business models form an operational basis by integrating various value retention options (R-strategies) and thereby narrowing, slowing down and closing resource loops. In early development phases, the application of the Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design framework can help to embed safety and sustainability aspects in circular business models from the outset. Despite growing political support, however, circular business models have so far only been implemented to a limited extent. This article therefore examines the challenges and barriers to widespread implementation. The research design, applied by Brimatech in several research and innovation projects, combines literature reviews, qualitative interviews, moderated workshops and content analysis. The results show that limited skills, inadequate policy frameworks, poor cooperation in value networks, cost issues, data problems and low market acceptance are hindering implementation. Overcoming these barriers through coherent frameworks, the use of digital technologies and targeted skills development is crucial to driving a systemic transition to a comprehensive circular economy.
Type of publication
Journal paper
Publisher
Österreichische Wasser- und Abfallwirtschaft
Conference Papers & Presentations
Authors
Juan Carlos Guerrero Ramos, Gülsah Balamut Arslan, Melis Tok Simsek, Dr. Electra Papadopoulou, Eleftheria Athanassiadou
Summary
The European SNUG project has among its objectives developing innovative solutions for manufacturing sustainable materials, with a particular focus on the construction and habitat industries. A key breakthrough of the project is the creation of hemp-based biopanels using tannin-based adhesives, designed to replace traditional materials derived from non-renewable and highly polluting sources. The tannins-based adhesive is developed by CHIMAR, production protocols and material characterization are handled by AIDIMME and KEAS scale up to a industrial level the bio-panels.
Tannins, natural phenolic compounds found in various plant species, have been explored as a potential alternative to the ingredients of synthetic adhesive formulations, that are traditionally used in construction materials. The tannin-based resins developed by CHIMAR are formaldehyde-free and exhibit excellent bonding capabilities with various biomasses, including hemp, making them ideal for particleboard production. These resins provide a biodegradable, non-toxic solution that aligns with the principles of sustainability.
Hemp, a renewable natural resource with exceptional mechanical properties, serves as an ideal material for manufacturing insulating panels. The use of hemp shives as a substitute for wood in biopanels enhances both the mechanical properties and sustainability of the resulting boards.
The bio-based tannin adhesives not only enhance the mechanical performance of hemp panels but also ensure a high level of sustainability, offering a greener adhesive solution for a wide range of industrial applications. AIDIMME has researched tannin-based adhesives and hemp shives formulations, determining the best resin-to-fiber ratios for panel production. Their findings suggest 10–12% resin concentration for optimal performance.
AIDIMME have also assessed fire reaction, mechanical, durability and sustainability properties. Additionally, a Life Cycle Analysis is underway to compare the environmental impact of these biopanels to conventional synthetic materials.
KEAS leverages the lower bulk density of hemp shives, a byproduct of the textile industry, to create boards with better insulation. This approach supports industrial symbiosis and involves KEAS adjusting the industrial production lines to incorporate hemp as a wood substitute.
Preliminary findings show that hemp bio-panels with tannin-based adhesives not only provide a sustainable alternative but also match or surpass conventional materials like wood panels and petrochemical composites. These advantages make hemp bio-panels a viable choice for eco-friendly buildings, supporting circular economy principles. This research highlights the potential of hemp and tannins in creating innovative, sustainable construction materials, advancing Europe’s push for greener building practices.
Type of publication
Conference paper – FEMS EUROMAT 2025 Book of Abstracts (pg. 1795)
Event
FEMS EUROMAT 2025 – 18th Congress and Exhibition on Advanced Materials and Processes.
Granada, Spain – 14-18 September
Authors
Juan Carlos Guerrero, Enrique Serra Mercé, Electra Papadopoulou, Melis Tok Simsek
Abstract
SNUG EU Project is exploring the development of new bio-based insulating materials for buildings. The process is being done from laboratory scale to an industrial scale both the bioadhesive and the natural fibers to be used for the biopanels production. Analyzing thermal, acoustic, mechanical, durability and safety properties.
Further more this material will evolve as a construction solution to be tested in a real environmental scale in different demos with different climatology conditions over Europe.
Type of publication
Conference paper – EUBCE 2025 Book of Abstracts (pg.566)
Event
EUBCE 2025 – 33rd European Biomass Conference & Exhibition
Valencia, Spain – 9-12 June 2025
Presenter
Juan Carlos Guerrero
Summary
The SNUG project aims to give a feasible solution to the high levels of consumption of buildings, which means the 40% of the total energy consumption in the EU. Buildings also are one of the main greenhouse gasses (GHG) emission sources (36%). During the building construction, use, renovation and demolition, they contribute with about 50% of extracted materials and 35% of the EU’s total waste generation.
Therefore, the improvement of sustainability and energy efficiency of buildings is essential for achieving a reduction of energy consumption, GHG emissions and the reduction and recycling of extracted materials, seeking for a climate neutral Europe by 2050 as the Green Deal Commitment establishes.
Following the stimulation of many ambitious policies dictated by the EU for the improvement of the energy efficiency of buildings as the Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD), The Renovation Wave Strategy and The Circular Economy Action Plan, SNUG aims to develop and demonstrate a methodology to help planners, constructors, architects and other stakeholders of the construction sector in the selection of the most appropriate thermal insulation materials or solutions, in order to maximize the energy efficiency and minimize GHG emissions of the building envelope throughout its life cycle in order to achieve the Zero Emission Building (ZEB) rating at an optimal cost level.
The methodology sought will be improved and sustained by the following developments within the project:
A Digital Tool Assistant (DTA) based on AI and virtual simulation that will support architects and builders in the decision-making process for the best thermal insulation solutions according to technical, environmental, and economic inputs.
A set of Sustainable-by-design thermal insulation materials based in Circular Economy, Smart and renewable materials.
A Database of thermal insulation materials, including technical and LCA information materials.
A Digital Building Logbook (DBL), where the information about the building will be collected and digitized in an interoperable format with BIM and the DTA, through the whole life of the building.
AIDIMME (Spain) is coordinating SNUG project with the support of the other 16 partners and is being also involved in the development of one of the Sustainable-by-design thermal insulation materials, which are the biomass-based boards.
About this development AIDIMME has support and experience with the development of other local projects (PRESOST, PREFCONECPT and EDIFBIO) where it has identified local natural fibers, which are waste from some other industries, in order to study and characterize them to give them a use as insulating panels for both interior and exterior use in buildings.
These panels were manufactured on a pilot scale in AIDIMME using a hot plate press and studied and characterized, to later demonstrate the possibility of industrializing them and thus scaling the Technological Readiness Level (TRL).
Event
Sustainable Places 2024
Luxembourg, Belgium – 23-25 September