Dubrovnik, 20 October 2025 – The LIAISON project was represented at this year’s DIM-ESEE 2025 – Development and Innovations in Mineral Resourcing conference, held from 15–17 October in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Mateja Štefančič from the Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute (ZAG) presented pioneering research on how industrial by-products can be used to enhance the thermoelectric performance of cement-based materials—innovations that align closely with LIAISON’s mission to promote sustainable, circular, and resource-efficient solutions in the raw materials sector.
In her lecture titled “Enhancing Thermoelectric Response in Cement Composites by Introducing Industrial By-Products,” Štefančič showcased how secondary raw materials such as red mud, copper slag, mine sludge, and recycled graphite can significantly improve key thermoelectric parameters in cement composites. These advances open promising pathways toward energy-harvesting, low-maintenance infrastructure, supporting EU goals for climate neutrality and reduced environmental impacts.
The research demonstrated that selected industrial by-products can boost the Seebeck coefficient, enhance electrical conductivity, and maintain low thermal conductivity, enabling cement composites to convert heat differentials into electrical energy. This functionality could support the development of self-powered sensors, smart infrastructure, and monitoring systems—all priority areas for innovation in sustainable construction.
Beyond performance improvements, the study emphasised environmental acceptability and mechanical reliability, confirming that circular materials can be safely and effectively integrated into construction applications.
Participation in DIM-ESEE 2025 provided an important platform to share LIAISON-relevant innovations with stakeholders from across Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, strengthening knowledge exchange on sustainable raw materials, industrial symbiosis, and the use of secondary resources.
The LIAISON project congratulates ZAG and the research team—Mateja Štefančič, Slavko Bernik, Alenka Mauko Pranjić, and Mateja Košir—for their contribution to advancing greener, multifunctional building materials and expanding opportunities for circular innovation in Europe’s built environment.
Download the presentation here: DIM-ESEE_2025_Štefančič et al_15.10.2025
