Greener Concrete Hybrid Reinforcement of Low-Carbon Material with Mineral Wool and Plastic Fibers
21 August 2026
A processing know-how for converting waste mineral wool into lightweight, functional aggregates — known as Mineral Wool Aggregates (MWA) — for incorporation into concrete applications.
Technology overview
Mineral wool, widely used in buildings and shipyards for insulation, acoustic, and fire-retardant purposes, is currently disposed of as construction and demolition (C&D) waste through landfilling or incineration. This technology upcycles such waste into value-added aggregates that improve the thermal and structural performance of concrete.
The innovation addresses two critical challenges: diverting mineral wool waste from landfills through a circular economy approach, and developing sustainable concrete mixes that leverage the lightweight and insulating properties of mineral wool to mitigate the UHI effect.
Technology features
Circular Economy Processing: Waste mineral wool is processed through shredding, pelletisation, and binding using water, sodium hydroxide, and sodium silicate as binders, then formed into consistent lightweight aggregates via a pan granulator
Thermal Performance: Mineral wool's inherently low thermal conductivity, combined with its water absorption and porosity, enables evaporative cooling and measurable reductions in surface temperature
Multi-Functional Material Properties: MWA offers insulation, water retention, and structural performance in a single material
Sustainability Advantage: The technology valorises locally available waste streams, reducing dependence on imported lightweight aggregates and delivering carbon emissions saving of concrete produced
Potential applications
Sustainable concrete production
Urban infrastructure and pavements
Construction and precast industry
Benefits
Waste-to-Resource Innovation: MWA transforms mineral wool waste into a high-value construction material, enabling a fully circular solution for a waste stream with no existing recycling programme in Singapore.
UHI Mitigation Performance: Unlike conventional lightweight aggregates, MWA is specifically designed to reduce thermal conductivity and surface temperatures in concrete structures.
Non-Combustible and Multifunctional: MWA is non-combustible and delivers thermal, acoustic, and structural benefits in a single aggregate material, outperforming alternatives such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads and plastic aggregates.
Local Supply Chain Resilience: By valorising locally generated mineral wool waste, the technology reduces reliance on imported aggregates, supporting supply chain stability and lowering the overall carbon footprint of concrete production.
Scalable and Commercially Viable: MWA can be manufactured using existing granulation infrastructure and waste feedstock from construction, demolition, and marine sectors.
Commercialisation
The technology is available for licensing and deployment.
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