Research Possibilities for Efficient Capitalization in Construction Eco-Products, of Mineral Additions Generated by the Local Romanian Industries as Wastes or By-Products
Authors: Baeră Cornelia , Bolborea Bogdan , Gruin Aurelian , Vasile Ana Cristina , Negrut Mircea Liviu , Barbu Alexandra Marina , Perianu Ion Aurel 
Published: December 2024

The current paper intends to present the directory lines and paths for the development and implementing construction eco-products, with advanced functionality (materials, elements and structures, models and technologies), considering the efficient and customized valorization of by-products and generated waste of local industries, in the context of National Strategy for Research, Innovation and Smart Specialization 2022-2027 regarding the transition to Circular Economy (EC). This represents one of the two main axes of the research project Nucleu Programme of the National Research Development and Innovation Plan 2022-2027, supported by MCID, "ECODIGICONS" project no. PN 23 35 04 01: “Fundamental-applied research into the sustainable development of construction products (materials, elements, and structures, as well as methods and technologies) that utilizes current national resources to enhance the eco-innovative and durable aspects of Romania's civil and transport infrastructure”, financed by the Romanian Government starting with the beginning of 2023. One of the novelties of the proposed approach of the project is considering the entrepreneurial environment of construction industry or complementary branches as essential stakeholders for the future results of the current scientific research. This dramatically changes the dynamic of the project, in terms of specific objectives, namely their focus on solving the current wastes’ problem by innovatively integrating them into competitive construction products with fast applicability and in accordance with support market requests. By the use of strategic management specific methods (e.g., External Environment (EE) and Internal Environment (IE) evaluation, SWOT analysis and derived specific strategies, etc.), four research directions have been identified for the valorization, at regional or even national level, of mineral additions (inert/hydraulically latent/pozzolanic, etc., derived from waste and industrial by-products (metallurgy, processing industry, construction/demolition, etc.)) by development of eco-smart materials and products for construction. The three directions are related to the considered mineral additions: Power plant ashes (fly ash and/or bottom ash), Steel slag and Garnet type residue Hence, the paper is willing to present the identification and the preliminary analyses of the specified research axes, plotted as necessary steps for achieving an intelligent and sustainable transition of the Romanian construction infrastructure. This approach implicitly ensures in the short and medium term, the increase of the degree of implementation of the principles of the Circular Economy (EC) in Romania, in the existing context which includes relevant factors like: geo-political, industrial and economic, urban and demographic, scientific, socio-cultural and environmental, in accordance with the imperatives of National, European and World Sustainable Development strategies.