RMIT University’s coffee concrete innovators is leading in the popular vote for Universities Australia’s Shaping Australia Awards in the Problem Solver category.
The race for top votes is tightening with the coffee concrete team from Victoria, which has nearly 2900 votes while the nearest competitor, from Queensland, has close to 1700.
The RMIT team, which is waving the banner for the construction and waste recycling industries, is calling on people to vote for them to help bring their invention to the world stage. Their project is titled ‘Latte-street innovation: coffee-infused concrete’ – show your support by clicking the heart icon next to their entry and follow the prompts.
Professor Jie Li, Dr Rajeev Roychand, Dr Shannon Kilmartin-Lynch and Dr Mohammad Saberian’s innovation strengthens concrete by 30 per cent using biochar made from spent coffee grounds, to give the drink-additive a “double shot” at life and reduce waste going to landfill.
This invention tackles major sustainability challenges. Australia generates around 75,000 tonnes of ground coffee waste annually, contributing to 6.87 million tonnes of organic waste in landfills, which account for three per cent of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions.
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Two winners for the Problem Solver category will be awarded – one selected through the People’s Choice voting system, and one chosen by a panel of eminent Australians.
The team’s breakthrough, which addresses waste management challenges and conserves river sand, has made headlines around the world, with organisations including the World Economic Forum, Washington Post, CNN and Reuters.
RMIT Vice-Chancellor Professor Alec Cameron endorsed the team’s nomination for the award.
“Within a year, the team progressed from the lab to real-world applications with industry and government partners, including a world-first footpath trial in Gisborne,” he said.
“Their coffee concrete is being used in Victoria’s Big Build projects, and is displayed in Germany’s prestigious Futurium museum as an innovative material for a sustainable future.
“Partnerships with international industry leaders, such as Sweden’s C-Green, have opened new research avenues.
“With venture capital-backed commercialisation underway, this innovation is having a significant impact in the circular economy and construction industry.”
Roychand, the lead inventor of the coffee concrete, said the team was honoured to be in the running for this national award.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the invaluable support from our partners: BildGroup, Major Road Projects Victoria, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Arup, Earth Systems, Reground and Talwali Coffee Roasters,” said Roychand, from the School of Engineering.
“They have provided a valuable contribution during the research and development phase and in the crucial translation of this innovation from lab to real-world applications.”
‘Transforming spent coffee grounds into a valuable resource for the enhancement of concrete strength’ is published in the Journal of Cleaner Production. (DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.138205).
RMIT co-authors are Dr Rajeev Roychand, Dr Shannon Kilmartin-Lynch, Dr Mohammad Saberian, Professor Jie Li, Professor Guomin (Kevin) Zhang and Professor Chun-Qing Li.
Check the Shaping Australia Awards website for details on when the People’s Choice voting closes.