Producing road barrier blocks using paper mill sewage sludge waste and biomass boiler ash.

This project aims to convert boiler ash and wastewater treatment sludge generated by paper mills into eco-efficient concrete blocks suitable for road barriers and other low-risk infrastructure applications. The waste materials will undergo detailed characterization to assess their chemical composition, pozzolanic potential, organic load, and leaching behavior. Based on these results, appropriate pre-treatment steps—such as drying, classification, and chemical or thermal stabilization—will be applied to ensure material safety and performance.

A series of optimized concrete mix designs will be developed, where ash partially replaces cement and stabilized sludge substitutes a portion of natural aggregates. Laboratory evaluations will include compressive strength, water permeability, sulfate resistance, freeze–thaw durability, and heavy-metal leaching, ensuring both mechanical integrity and environmental compliance.

Successful formulations will be scaled up to pilot-level production, followed by field demonstration of full-size blocks in Kahramanmaraş to validate real-world performance. This approach reduces cement and natural aggregate consumption, lowers CO₂ emissions, and minimizes landfill disposal, creating a robust circular economy model for industrial waste management.

The project is designed to advance the technology to TRL 6–7, demonstrating feasibility at pilot scale and establishing a clear pathway toward industrial adoption. Ultimately, it will deliver a cost-effective, sustainable, and replicable building material solution that supports green transition goals and promotes regional industrial symbiosis.