Lime is one of the earliest industrial commodities known to man and it continues to be one of the essential building blocks of modern Society. The global lime market is anticipated to approach the value of 44 Billion Euros by the end of 2026 and resulting in various growth opportunities for key players. The SUBLime network aims to develop the most advanced technology in lime-based materials modelling and characterization for industrial use that will go beyond the limitations of existing solutions in new construction and conservation in the built heritage. It is firstly dedicated to recruit and train fifteen PhD students in multiple scientific and engineering fields towards a better understanding and development of sustainable innovations in both added functionalities and sustainability aspects in lime mortars and plasters, strongly based on novel biomimetic and closed-loop recycling approaches.

The project covers the main features of lime-based applications analysis, including material characterization, numerical non-linear modelling of multiphysics behaviour, functionality and sustainability in lime use and performance-based design. These new developments include capacities such as: self-cleaning, (super-)hydrophobicity, self-healing, enhanced (catalysed) CO2 capture capabilities, and considers closed-loop recycling. The crossdisciplinary approach throughout the SUBLime value chain, leveraging the knowledge of the academic (6) and industrial members (11), such as lime producers, mortar/plaster/block producers, and end-users for the prioritization of industrial needs, will dramatically increase the transfer of scientific knowledge to the lime-consuming industries in the EU, ensuring their progress on social, environmental and economic aspects, and product understanding.

Three research groups of Ghent University are involved in SUBLime: the Magnel-Vandepitte laboratory for structural engineering and building materials, the Centre of Microbial Ecology and Technology and PProGRess (Pore scale processes in Geomaterials research team). They supervise ESR5 (Self-healing in lime based mortars), ESR6 (New possibilities of recycling and new admixtures in lime-based mortar) and ESR10 (3D multi-scale structural characterization and long-term performance related to efflorescence). UGent will also host secondments of ESR9 (Cradle-to-grave sustainability of novel lime-based materials) and ESR 3 (Lime-based mortars and plasters with added functionality: a biomimetic approach). Prof. Nele De Belie is the chair of the Recruitment and Skill Progress Committee. UGent will furthermore contribute to the organization of several training schools.