Low Carbon Concrete for Arctic Climate with Excellent Sustainability and Durability

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Northern Periphery and Arctic

Date of latest update: 2026-01-12

Description

Description (EN):

Cement and concrete have a significant share in the building industry and so in the generation of CO2 connected to their obtaining input materials, production and transportation. Therefore, the common aim of the cement and concrete industry is to implement solutions which will lead to a lower carbon footprint, uptake of a circular economy and ensure that their products have sufficient durability. Project Ar2CorD will focus on the optimisation of low carbon concrete (LCC) with the use of established and non-established (future) locally available supplementary cementitious materials (SCM), with substitution of minimally 30% of portland cement. There will be two main aims; the first will be an assessment of the durability of LLC (mainly freeze-thaw durability) by accelerated tests (established, modified or newly designed). The development and documentation of freeze-thaw method can serve as a foundation for the national annexe to NS-EN 206. The second aim is to establish a long-term durability test site in Narvik harbour to enforce data gained from accelerated testing. The solutions to the issues created by the freeze-thaw cycle encountered in Arctic conditions will be addressed to achieve a suitable evaluation system for LCC. The frost resistance issue is likely the biggest challenge/obstacle in reducing the carbon footprint of concrete. Collaboration between experts from Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland is beneficial because of the combination of their expertise and dedication to sustainable concrete technology in Arctic conditions. The Ar2CorD project will be submitted for topic “ 2.3 Promoting the transition to a circular and resource efficient economy”.

Actual Achievements (EN):

During the first period, most of the activities were focused on the administration and initiation of the project activities. UiT as a project leader organized a kick-off meeting in Narvik where most of the partners participated in person, and the others joined online. During the two days kick-off meeting, we got to know each other better and reviewed the main parts of the application, such as the project overview, more detailed partner introduction and researcher involved directly in the project, overall objectives, budget, and reporting. We spend a big part on the work packages, time plan, outputs and results/deliverables. All participants were fully involved in discussions and more detailed plans for each WP and partners responsibilities/needs were defined. Management and communication took place on the second day after the 1st steering committee meeting. Ingrid Howes with Iveta Novakova from UiT described the project management structure containing members and meeting frequency of the Externa Advisory Board (once a year), Steering Committee (twice a year), and regular meetings (once a month). Meeting minutes from all meetings are always emailed and uploaded in MS Teams group where all the project documents are shared. The contract with the funding agency and partnership agreement were signed and uploaded in JEMS, so as all the other requested information. Communication and publicity of Ar2CorD project were initiated by establishing a website on UiT platform (https://en.uit.no/project/ar2cord), a project poster designed and displayed at all partners facilities, and introduction of the project to defined target groups. UiT activities, besides management and communication, were mainly connected to following: -hiring process for PhD candidates involved in the project –communication with Narvik Harbor about setting up the long-term monitoring facility –supervision of master's student thesis focused on the durability of concrete –contribution to WP1 and WP2 WP2 is led by LTU who started activities and introduced them to other partners, the discussions are very good during regular monthly meetings. Also, the industry contributes a lot as this is a very actual topic and a long-lasting challenge in the Arctic region. WP3 was not initiated yet. Project progress during period 2 is according to plan in terms of technical activities, though the administrative activities are a little bit challenging and all partners work towards reporting of project period 1. In Period 2 there are no deliverables, outputs or results to be submitted. The technical activities were focused on activities within all WP. Representatives of industrial partners, NORCEM, BI, PGronland, and BM-Valla actively contribute with knowledge from the industry and support academic partners with the distribution of raw material for LCC preparation. All partners jointly works towards target in WP1 and W2 while WP3 is progressing presently as discussion. The administrative part was mainly focused on reporting, where we faced several obstacles and communication preparation of the posters and completing the website (https://en.uit.no/project/ar2cord). Regular meeting are commonly attended by all partner representatives and meeting minutes are provided shortly after the monthly meetings. During regular monthly meetings, we commonly spend 30 minutes on the administration and management of projects and 30 minutes on scientific/research tasks. Intensive contact with the NPA officer continues. During the second period, there was one meeting of the steering committee and one meeting of the external advisory board composed of representatives of associated partners. A representative of UiT participated in the lead partner meeting in Skelleftea. Two volunteers are planned to be involved in the project. UiT is still waiting for the administration's decision on the volunteer visa, and LTU engaged a volunteer through IVY to enhance dissemination and outreach efforts. RU plans to buy the German test CDF-CTF probably in the end of 2023. Discussion about the mid-term seminar and partner meeting hosted by Reykjavik University in approximately May 2024 started. Suggestions for presentation topics of individual partners. All partners posted information about participation in Ar2CorD project on their website (https://www.betong.heidelbergmaterials.se/sites/default/files/2025-02/Ar2CorD%20poster.pdf; https://www.bmvalla.is/frettir/althjodlegt-throunarverkefni-um-frosttholna-og-vistvaenni-steypu; https://www.ltu.se/en/research/research-subjects/building-materials/research-projects/research-in-buildning-materials/2023-12-07-ar2cord---low-carbon-concrete-for-arctic-climate-with-excellent-sustainability-and-durability; https://www.oulu.fi/en/projects/ar2cord-low-carbon-concrete-for-arctic-climate-excellent-sustainability-and-durability; https://www.interregyouth.com/taking-concrete-steps-towards-carbon-neutrality-with-the-ar2cord-project/ and put out A3 poster. Continues progress and news are then posted on Ar2CorD website.

Project outputs: Min 6 different Sustainable materials mix designs tested and piloted.(EN)
Sustainable LCC mix designs with at least 30% of secondary raw materials (piloted in O 1.1)(EN)
New or Modified freeze-thaw durability test method(EN)
The establishment and start of the Long term durability test facility(EN)
Ar2Cord Transnational cooperation(EN)
Website: https://en.uit.no/project/ar2cord

Thematic information

New products and services

Priority: (VI-B_NPaA_2) Strengthening the capacity for climate change adaptation, and resource sufficiency in NPA communities

Priority specific objective: RSO2.6. Promoting the transition to a circular and resource efficient economy

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility

Type of intervention: 075 Support to environmentally-friendly production processes and resource efficiency in SMEs

Partners (7)

Lead Partner: UiT Norges arktiske universitet

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999874643

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 970422528

Department: Faculty of Engineering Science and Technology, Narvik Campus

Address: PO Box 6050 Langnes , N-9037 Tromsø , Norway

Department address: Lodve Langes Gt, 8514 Narvik, Norway

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.uit.no

Total budget: EUR 563 100.35

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 281 550.17

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 50.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 281 550.18

Contractors:

Name: Ofoten Mek AS
VAT registration or tax identification number: 924426993
Name: DuraMon AG
VAT registration or tax identification number: 232393911

BM Vallá ehf.

Name: BM Vallá ehf.

Department: Reykjavik plant

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 885825826

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 103750

Address: Bíldshöfði , 110 Reykjavík , Iceland

Department address: Breiðhöfða , 110 Reykjavík , Iceland

Legal status: private

Organisation type: SME

Website: https://www.bmvalla.is/

Total budget: EUR 50 001.70

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 32 501.10

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 17 500.60

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20

Betongindistrie

Name: Betongindistrie

Department: Betongindustri AB - Östersund

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 885845032

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SE556188389201

Address: Marieviksgatan , 117 43 Stockholm, Sweden

Department address: Körfältsvägen , 831 38 Östersund, Sweden

Legal status: private

Organisation type: SME

Website: https://www.betongindustri.se/sv

Total budget: EUR 20 299.62

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 13 194.75

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 7 104.87

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20

NORCEM AS

Name: NORCEM AS

Department: Norcem Kjøpsvik

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 953928459

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 934949145

Address: Lilleakerveien, 0216 Oslo, Norway

Department address: Behrens veien, 8590 Kjøpsvik, Norway

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Enterprise, except SME

Website: https://www.norcem.no/en

Total budget: EUR 71 575.86

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 35 787.93

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 50.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 35 787.93

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20

Háskólinn í Reykjavík

Name: Háskólinn í Reykjavík

Department: Department of Applied Engineering

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999897923

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 510105-4190

Address: Menntavegur, 102 Reykjavik, Iceland

Department address: Menntavegur, 102 Reykjavik, Iceland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.ru.is

Total budget: EUR 199 995.79

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 129 997.26

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 69 998.53

University of Oulu

Name: University of Oulu

Department: Fibre and Particle Engineering Research Unit

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999844670

Partner’s ID if not PIC: FI02458955/003702458955

Address: Pentti Kaiteran katu, 90570 Oulu, Finland

Department address: Pentti Kaiteran katu, 90570 Oulu, Finland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.oulu.fi/en

Total budget: EUR 293 097.24

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 190 513.20

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 102 584.04

Lulea tekniska universitet

Name: Lulea tekniska universitet

Department: Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999876874

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SE202100284101/202100-2841

Address: Laboratorievagen, 971 87 Lulea, Sweden

Department address: Laboratorievagen, 971 87 Lulea, Sweden

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.ltu.se

Total budget: EUR 159 089.89

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 103 408.42

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 55 681.47

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

BM Vallá ehf.

Low Carbon Concrete for Arctic Climate with Excellent Sustainability and Durability

Partners and Projects info

Concrete Industry

Low Carbon Concrete for Arctic Climate with Excellent Sustainability and Durability

Partners and Projects info

NORCEM AS

Low Carbon Concrete for Arctic Climate with Excellent Sustainability and Durability

Partners and Projects info

Reykjavik University

Low Carbon Concrete for Arctic Climate with Excellent Sustainability and Durability

Partners and Projects info

University of Oulu

Low Carbon Concrete for Arctic Climate with Excellent Sustainability and Durability

Partners and Projects info

Lulea University of Technology

Low Carbon Concrete for Arctic Climate with Excellent Sustainability and Durability

Partners and Projects info

UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Low Carbon Concrete for Arctic Climate with Excellent Sustainability and Durability

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Low Carbon Concrete for Arctic Climate with Excellent Sustainability and Durability

Project acronym: Ar2CorD

Project ID: NPA0100039

Project start date: 2023-01-01

Project end date: 2026-04-30

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

Reduction of CO2 connected to cement and cocnrete industry (EN) | Ar2CorD project will ensure that LCC will have low carbon footprint during production but also ensure excellent durability to comply at least with 50 years design conditions. (EN), Eco-efficient concreting for arctic region (ARCTIC-ecocrete) (EN) | The aim of this project is to develop novel environmentally-friendly concrete mixtures utilizing local industrial residues (like ashes and slags) for winter concrete works and novel production technology for winter concreting. The follow up on the meeting is inspiration by mix design and examine mixes for freeze-thaw durability. Based on accelerated freeze-thaw durability results it will be decided if we put them in the long-term durability testing facility. (EN), Newscem
project (EN) | NFR project 282578, new SCMs were developed within three categories, calcined clay, non-ferrous
slags and natural volcanic pozzolan. This extensive search for long-lasting sources was successful and Ar2CorD project will contribute with evaluation of durability properties. Also, samples of several mixes will be placed in the long-term durability testing facility for monitoring of durability performance in harsh conditions.
(EN), ICONDE (EN) | Title of project is "Innovation in concrete design for hazardous waste management applications" and one of the tasks is utilisation of oil shale ash as SCM. This project is focused more on shielding properties of concrete with SCM but durability is also of high importance. Knowledge gained during ICONDE project in regards of mix design of concrete with SCM, particularly oil shale ash, will be utilized in Ar2CorD. (EN), SUSRes: Municipal solid waste incinerated residues as secondary resource for Metal recovery and construction materials (EN) | Enable efficient valorization of resources from MSWI residues through, mechanochemical activation, bioleaching and as cementitious binders. Synergy is in continuation of work with design cementitious binders and their durability. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 357 160.45

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 307 116.37

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 65.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 307 116.37. Co-financing rate, 65.00%.
ERDF equivalent: Amount, EUR 317 338.10. Co-financing rate, 50.00%. Sources, NO.
ERDF equivalent: Amount, EUR 162 498.36. Co-financing rate, 65.00%. Sources, IS.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Report (1) on potential alternatives for local binder and aggregate materials
Recommendation for low carbon concrete mix design for arctic construction industries
Scientific publications (2)
Mid-term seminar (1) focused on low carbon cocnrete
Series of parameters considered for modification
Technical report: Design of long-term durability testing facility (1)
Start of long-term durability testing data collection
Scientific publications (2)
Recommendation of the new LCC for arctic region
EPD for LCC
Scientific publications - 2 articles
Final Workshop (1)

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EuropeanGreenDeal A sustainable approach and integration of circular economy, use of local materials in the building industry is a strategy for many parts of the world, with sustainability and eco-friendly credentials becoming increasingly important. Sweden has ambitious targets to reduce CO2 emissions for the next decade. Concrete and cement industries are large emitters and a key target for reductions.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Northern Periphery and Arctic

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2026-01-12

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

65 / 65 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

316 / 316 (100%)

Notes on the data

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Low Carbon Concrete for Arctic Climate with Excellent Sustainability and Durability

Description

Thematic information

Partners (7)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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