GeoWolf – Development of Cold-Hardening Refractory Materials Based on Geopolymers for CO₂ Reduction

The joint research project “GeoWolf” with Wolfshöher Tonwerke GmbH & Co. KG, a manufacturer of refractory fireclay products, focuses on replacing conventionally manufactured fireclay with innovative, CO2-efficient geopolymers. The raw materials used for this are largely waste materials and production rejects. Geopolymerisation does not require energy-intensive tunnel kiln firing at over 1000°C; instead, the materials can be cured at room temperature by mixing them with an activator solution.
The aim is to use uniaxial dry pressing and extrusion as forming processes. This requires a fundamental adjustment of the mass composition in order to optimise processability. In addition to the physical and mechanical properties of the materials, the thermal properties of the developed geopolymer materials are of particular interest.