PolyU’s commitment to advancing green technology and sustainability has been recognised through significant awards and funding. Recently, its project to develop low-carbon marine self-healing concrete received a grant of HK$6,025,080 from the HKSAR Government’s Green Tech Fund for 24 months. This funding supports the University’s initiative to achieve carbon neutrality goals.

Led by Professor Li Xiangdong, Dean of the Faculty of Construction and Environment, the project involves a team of interdisciplinary experts from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. They have developed innovative concrete with promising potential for marine construction materials and coastal engineering applications.

The project aims to produce low-carbon marine self-healing concrete by incorporating biomineralisation-enhanced recycled aggregates made from waste concrete, which helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions and facilitates construction waste recycling. Additionally, the microbial concrete structure possesses self-healing properties that enhance its durability, providing a significant advantage in achieving long-term decarbonisation and sustainability.

This project, titled “Marine self-healing concrete with biomineralization-enhanced construction waste for long-term decarbonization”, was approved in the fourth round of applications for the Green Tech Fund. Anticipated outcomes include comprehensive design guidelines for marine self-healing concrete, optimised mixing techniques, and valuable insights into the influence and environmental performances of the concrete on marine ecology.

Professor Li stated, “This approach conserves land resources and mitigates environmental hazards, making a contribution towards achieving carbon neutrality and the long-term sustainable development of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.”

Professor Li also holds the positions of the Director of the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development, Chair Professor of Environmental Science and Technology, and Ko Jan Ming Professor in Sustainable Urban Development at PolyU.

The Green Tech Fund was established in 2020 to provide focused funding support to research and development projects that help Hong Kong decarbonise and enhance environmental protection.