NEW PARTNERSHIPS AT UNIBL GEOPOLYMERS FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP
In our reflection on the new partnerships π€π€π€ with businesses that our coordinators at Faculty of Sciences, University of Banja Luka have signed within the Deep Green Inno project, we would like to emphasize the story on geopolymer research.
Thesis of one of the researchers mentored on the project, Ms Marija StojakoviΔ, now in its final phase, is strongly focused on the kaolinite geopolymerisation phenomena. Geopolymers are starting to replace the armature/concrete in the construction industry, enabling important reduce in carbon footprint ββ . However, each country has to get to its own innovation and raw materials. In the times when Europe is struggling with raw materials supply and Critical Raw Materials Act is ever important, Bosnia and Herzegovina can play a significant role in geopolymer field. Country possesses large reserves of the kaolinite, a main ingredients for geopolymers, in Srbac municipality as well as significant ones in Bratunac municipality.
Moreover, the deposits of the fly ash from thermal plants π could be widely valorized in this technology as well. Research is in the final phase and the first lab-scale samples are ready. Mechanical tests are ongoing now in the follow-up phase of the project and paper is expected to be published very soon. Agreements were signed with the kaolinite mine "Rudnik kaolina Motajica", but also with the "BP institute" the accredited institute for analysis of the construction materials and with "Kanova" company, which will make efforts on international promotion of this business idea.
There is no doubt there is large market for this material, classifying it as a deeptech. Proudly, in our project it is an innovation coming straight from the hands of the young female researcher. π©βπ β¨
