NaSiO - Institute for Sustainable Silicate Research in Offenburg
The Institute for Sustainable Silicate Research in Offenburg (NaSiO) contributes to CO2 avoidance and resource conservation in the construction industry. Its employees pioneered the approach of using liquid silicates as "adhesives" for mineral materials. The new binding systems developed at the institute make it possible to use desert sand directly not only as a base for water glass but also as a substitute for river sand in building materials. In this way, CO2-reduced concrete binders, inorganic insulating materials, and products made from desert sand and recycled materials can be manufactured.
Raw material savings and recycling
Speaking of recycling: To save finite raw materials, products must be used as long as possible and then reused with high recycling rates. For this reason, the institute's members already take a subsequent recycling into account when designing products. Recycling rates of 50 percent enable a marginal utilization rate of 2, which means that the raw material range is stretched by a maximum factor of 2. A recycling rate of 90 percent results in a marginal utilization rate of 10. Only recycling rates of more than 90 percent enable the sustainable use of raw materials.