Cement is one of the most commonly used building materials due to its durability and highly functional properties after hardening. However, its production also has negative environmental impacts, such as the extraction of raw materials, energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Because the volume of concrete being produced every year continues to be very significant, several studies are being developed in an attempt to improve its sustainability by incorporating waste materials in substitution of aggregates, as well as by developing precast solutions.

A promising approach to earth building materials is the compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEB), increasing the processing speed and improving mechanical strength and durability when stabilized with cementitious materials, such as ordinary Portland cement or hydraulic lime. Therefore, the main objective of this project is the innovative production and characterization of more eco-friendly CSEB by using low embody energy recycled cement from waste concrete as a more sustainable stabilizer.

There is a growing understanding of sustainability and economic issues of products in the circular economy sector but few studies on the incorporation of waste or maritime by-products of mollusc aquaculture in construction materials. SHELLTER project - Reuse of aquaculture waste in the development of construction materials - will contribute to the creation of opportunities for the exploitation of oyster shell waste from aquaculture or from invasive species as an industrial product for companies that are committed to the sustainability of construction materials.

NGS is composed of complementary technological Work Packages (WP), with the capacity to autonomously generate Products, Processes, or Services (PPS) for the international market, incorporating innovative technologies that can increase the value over the life of the project. Individually, each WP can operate independently in a specific area of the value chain. However, together they interconnect and build a meaningful circular chain.  Cerena and CQE are involved in the work package 5- Recycling and 2^nd life.

Molecular activation is important not only in chemical systems but also in more complex biological systems. One of the most important players in molecular activation is carbon dioxide due to its crucial role in the environment with consequences for the climate and heating the earth’s surface by trapping infrared radiation in the atmosphere. Unfortunately, the expansion of human population and the energy demand resulting from there, derived in an increase of carbon dioxide concentration unbalancing the earth’s carbon cycle, thus affecting the energy balance of the planet.

The Sustainable Stone by Portugal Agenda aims to enhance the relevant mobilizing and aggregating work that has been carried out in the context of the Natural Stone Sector, to create a new generation of products and production processes, strongly disruptive and innovative, that strengthen the sector's capacity to grow with an international focus, thus contributing to the growth and consolidation of the sector as strategic for the sustainable development of the Portuguese economy.

Gold, one of the most precious metals in the world, with estimated reserves of 54,000 ton, can be extracted from primary (mineral deposits) or secondary resources (recycling of printed circuit boards (PCBs)). Ore deposits are becoming poorer and more complex. PCBs exhibit ahigh gold content, but their availability cannot be consistent to justify the investment on a processing plant.