ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) is a concept that is used to evaluate the sustainability of companies and investments. ESG Higher education as a whole faced an unprecedented challenge last year. In the current paper, the authors will solve the problem of efficient delivery of know-how and skills required by the development of an approach for ESG evaluation that can be applied in different enterprises. This research explores the creation of a micro-credential programme aimed at rapidly improving the capabilities of companies in areas related to sustainable development. Skills such as sustainable growth, adaptability, and strategic planning in both finance and operations are closely linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and ESG reporting. For this purpose, authors introduce the micro-credential programme subjects together with study outputs and support the courses with novel technologies, like Open LCA, digital twin, sustainable ERP and a logistics lab. With the help of novel technologies, the micro-credential programme will give knowledge and practical skills to stay competitive in the market. Micro-credential programmes are directly linked to labour market needs, as they support the development of specific competencies required in todays environment, offer flexible learning opportunities, and enable faster adaptation to changes in the professional landscape. A practical approach will increase the motivation of companies, which will start with the extraction of current business processes, proceed with Green KPI definition, AI-defined best practices to be applied, selection of the best alternative solution for ESG improvement and finally, a future period plan for the development of the TO-BE Supply Chain.
This study stems from the interest in promoting the reuse of waste materials for the construction of new infrastructures, in line with the sustainability objectives defined by the 2030 Agenda and the European Union's Green Deal, which aim to achieve a climate-neutral, circular, and competitive economy by 2050 (European Commission, 2019). The analysis focuses on innovative approaches to sustainable pavement construction, with high percentages of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) and bio-oil additives. The goal is to reduce the demand for virgin aggregates, restore the performance of aged binders, and integrate industrial by-products such as steel slags. Laboratory tests on binders, mastics, and mixtures were combined with full-scale field trials to evaluate performance and durability. The results showed that mixtures containing up to 70% RAP, rejuvenated with bio-oil, achieved comparable or superior performance compared to reference materials. The integration of steel slags further improved polishing resistance and contributed to circular economy principles. Field trials confirmed short-and medium-term feasibility, while long-term monitoring is ongoing to assess durability under traffic and environmental stresses. Data obtained from samples collected during paving and after one year highlighted those mixtures with high RAP content exhibited very satisfactory mechanical performance and, in some cases, even better results than the reference materials.
This paper outlines key areas of 3D printing research carried out at ILEK in close interdisciplinary collaboration with the ISW, aimed at reducing the construction sector’s ecological footprint. One primary research focus is the development of zero-waste sand formwork via the additive manufacturing of a water-soluble sand-binder mixture. This technology facilitates the sustainable production of geometrically complex concrete structures and allows for the repeated reuse of formwork material within production cycles. The approach has been validated through two topologically optimised full-scale prototypes, exhibited at the Venice Architecture Biennale and at the Vienna Museum of Science and Technology. A second research area focuses on direct 3D printing of complex, bio-mineralised, porous structures with high compressive strength. In this process, a bacterial suspension is applied along predefined paths to a quartz sand mixture with an optimised grain size distribution. Through microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation, the sand layers are bound together in a controlled manner to form a solidified structure. Building on initial experiments with small cylindrical samples, a large-scale 3D printer has been developed to design and produce biomineralised facade panels.
The layer-by-layer deposition process in 3D concrete printing results in a weak interlayer. Surface moisture has been widely recognised as a critical factor influencing interlayer bonding behaviour. However, traditional methods for surface moisture measurement are inaccurate and destructive. To tackle these challenges, this paper proposes a near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy-based detection system to real-time monitor surface moisture conditions in 3D printed cementitious materials. Firstly, a systematic detection framework was developed, including optimisation of process parameters and calibration procedures to ensure accurate spectral acquisition and analysis. The NIR system was then experimentally validated under varying material proportions and environmental conditions. The results reveal that the NIR system can non-destructively capture the migration pattern and dynamic variations of surface moisture under the coupled effects of evaporation and bleeding. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of the NIR-based technique to real-time monitor surface moisture conditions, and provide innovative insights into the enhancement of interlayer bond strength and structural integrity in 3D printed concrete.
In 3D concrete printing (3DCP), structures are built by filament deposition and their arrangement controls material distribution and interfacial bonding. Therefore, this study investigates how path strategies influence the mechanical behavior and internal microstructure of adjacent filaments within a layer, also referred to as strands. We investigated cross shaped structures with different bonding configurations: i) crossing filaments – printed at a constant speed and ii) with increased speed at the crossing point, iii-v) structures with touching strand contacts of varying width (derived from path spacings of 5, 10 and 15 mm). The results are compared to vi) and vii) cast samples. Splitting tensile and shear tests were conducted to assess mechanical performance. Results show that splitting tensile and shear strength both depend strongly on the printing strategy (cast > crossing > touching strands) and strand contact width. Porosity analysis using micro-CT provided the means to link mechanical findings to their structural origins, arising from local variations in pore size and quantity.
