Sustainable design of geopolymers - Evaluation of raw materials by the integration of economic and environmental aspects in the early phases of material development

Abstract

Materials, defined as solids with a function, are basic modules for products in our everyday living and work environment. The development of products facing a complex qualification profile, which includes besides other technical, but also economic and ecological aspects. The two later aspects are not sufficient included in material development, especially from a Life cycle point of view, to provide them for the phase of product development. In this project, Life Cycle Thinking is integrated in the development phase of materials right from the beginning, in order to identify technical, economic, and ecological benefits and drawbacks of developed geopolymers in comparison to traditional materials (functional unit). In the following contribution, the authors focus on the first of three steps, the evaluation of raw materials, which include the screening, and classification of raw materials.