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Concrete with Recycled Plastic
In a first for Australia, James Cook University engineers have swapped steel reinforcing for plastic waste and look set to drastically reduce the environmental cost of concrete. The use of recycled plastic waste in concrete makes the building product much more environmentally friendly.
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(Source: website of JCU team wins innovation award for ‘green’ concre - Dec 2015 - JCU Australia)
College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University
Product specifications
Researchers from James Cook University produced recycled polypropylene fibres from industrial plastic wastes. With the improved melt spinning and hot drawing process by researchers in James Cook University, they now have plastic fibres strong enough to replace steel mesh in concrete footpaths.
Product images
Image 1- Concrete with recycled plastic
Source: Adapted from JCU website
Product Video
Click the following link (here) to watch the video showcasing the use of concrete with recycled plastic waste.
Areas of application
Use of recycled plastic waste in concrete makes the building product much more environmentally friendly. It can also be ustilised in infrastructure projects.
More information about concrete with recycled plastic waste
For more information on this product, please click (here)
Real-world project
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Recent completed projects: eMesh – ENVIROMESH | Low Carbon Alternative to Steel Mesh Reinforcement
M80 Upgrade, Vic
Hallam Rd LXRP, Vic
Monash Freeway MRPV, Vic
Publications
1- Sustainability of using recycled plastic fiber in concrete
2- Fiber preparation and mechanical properties of recycled polypropylene for reinforcing concrete
Awards:
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Innovation Award for Green Concrete 2015 (Click on the following link here)​​​​
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Contact details
Dr Nagaratnam Sivakugan
Associate Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering