According to news on April 23, Spain’s Eplas Plastics Technology Center announced BUILD-LIMONENE, a groundbreaking project focused on the development of sustainable building materials. The initiative aims to harness the waste from the Valencian community’s citrus sector and the CO2 emissions from local industry.
BUILD-Limonene works to create new, biodegradable additives and materials that reduce carbon footprints for the construction industry. Targeted at high-demand applications such as sustainable polymers, coatings and additives, these materials provide viable alternatives to existing options.
The project promotes circular economy principles by reusing citrus peels (rich in limonene) and captured carbon dioxide to create innovative building materials. This approach not only reduces waste but also explores the potential of carbon dioxide as a potential building block for polycarbonate and polyurethane.
Currently in the experimental stage, BUILD-limonene optimizes the catalytic reaction between oxidized limonene and CO2 to obtain polycarbonate with the desired properties. In addition, researchers are identifying tangerine varieties with the highest limonene content.
The project is fully in line with the Valencian Community’s S3 Smart Specialization Strategy and the CIEI Council’s focus on the circular economy. By incorporating CO2 and food waste into construction materials, BUILD-LIMONENE aims to significantly reduce the industry's environmental impact.
