Led by CNRS, the UPGRADE project has been selected for funding under the MSCA Staff Exchanges, Actions Marie Sklodowska-Curie call for projects, which aims to encourage the mobility of researchers between countries.
UPGRADE aims to revolutionize the reuse of residual geomaterials from the construction and mining industries worldwide. These materials, which account for almost half the waste produced in the European Union, are often considered unsuitable for direct use on construction sites. Yet, with proper treatment, they can become a valuable resource, enabling significant cost savings and a reduced ecological footprint, while supporting circular management of geomaterials.
To realize this vision, UPGRADE will develop technical solutions such as protocols, software and tools that will improve the quality and durability of these materials, ensuring their long-term performance, taking into account site-specific conditions such as climate. The innovative approach of the project lies in its integration of multiple expertises, notably in geotechnics, environment, informatics, geochemistry, analytical chemistry, natural resources exploitation, and circular economy.
The project is led by an international, interdisciplinary consortium of 10 academic partners, 5 industrial partners and 6 third-country institutions. Together, they form a network of researchers ready to tackle the most complex geotechnical and geoenvironmental challenges, positioning UPGRADE at the cutting edge of technological innovation.
Led by Olivier Cuisinier for the Soil Mechanics team, the fundamental objective of the UPGRADE network is to develop the recovery of geomaterials generated by geoengineering activities and to determine how to transform this waste into a sustainable construction material.
The overall budget for the UPGRADE project is in the region of 1.5 million euros, over a 4-year period (2025-2028).
