Hydro announces this Thursday, the 27th, another partnership with the Federal University of Pará (UFPA) for research related to the reuse of bauxite tailings. This is the first research project signed with Mineração Paragominas and the third with the educational institution. In this new partnership, the feasibility of using the ore tailings from Hydro's bauxite mine to produce tiles, bricks, refractory materials, low carbon cement and even a biodegradable plastic will be studied. The tailings to be studied in the research is the result of the processing of bauxite, that is, it is only clay, without any chemical additive.

The research will last for three years and will involve an investment of approximately BRL 5.000 from Hydro. “This wide range of applications will help us to make the most of the potential of bauxite tailings and move towards an increasingly sustainable operation with positive returns for society. This research is in line with Hydro's values of making our operations increasingly greener with a focus on sustainability ”, says Evilmar Fonseca, industrial director at Mineração Paragominas.

“Research contributes to a more sustainable future, reducing the impacts of climate change. To achieve this goal, we have a large team working on the project, led by UFPA. There are 25 people involved who are divided between professionals from the university itself, from Hydro, from the Federal University of Western Pará (UFOPA), from the Pará Institute of Technology (ITEC) and from the University of Halle-Wittenberg, in Germany ”, states the professor Marcondes Lima da Costa, head of the Faculty of Geology at UFPA.

With UFPA, one of the researches is the production of red ceramics (bricks and tiles) at low temperature, resulting in a product with less cost and with large-scale use of materials from the mineral activity in bauxite. Another line of studies is related to the use in the production of cement with low CO2 emissions, which is more sustainable than the conventional one for use.

The research will also study the possibility of producing biocomposites that are environmentally sustainable from bauxite and cassava waste. That is, the production of biodegradable plastic from two products in abundance in Pará. The fourth line of research involves the development of high quality refractory materials for use, for example, in the aerospace industry. These products are expected to be more economical, with less energy consumption, and less environmental impact.

Diversifying materials for a more sustainable future

The use of  tailings for the production of new materials brings a number of benefits. In addition to contributing to the preservation of the environment, initiatives like this can improve social and educational conditions and promote wealth and new scientific and technological knowledge.

Investing in research with this bias is part of Hydro's sustainability strategy. In 2020, the company announced two surveys that are already underway, the production of cement and synthetic aggregate, both with the residue from the refining of bauxite, which is generated at Alunorte, which is in Barcarena.

The three projects are part of the technical and scientific cooperation agreement between Hydro and the University, initiated in 2019, for the realization of several lines of research, which make it possible to consolidate the development of the State of Pará.

Hydro - The energy and aluminum company

Hydro is an industrial leader that creates business and partnerships for a more sustainable future. We develop industries that are important to people and society. Since 1905, Hydro has transformed natural resources into valuable products for people and businesses, creating a safe and secure workplace for our 34,000 employees, in more than 140 units, in 40 countries. Today, we own and operate several businesses, in addition to having investments based on sustainable industries. Hydro, through its businesses, is present in a wide range of segments of the aluminum, energy, metal recycling, renewable energy and batteries market, offering unique knowledge and skills. Hydro is committed to leading the sector towards a more sustainable future, creating more viable societies by developing natural resources in products and solutions in innovative and efficient ways.