The Cooperative Research Centre for Sustainable Resource Processing (CSRP) is undertaking a large research project involving partners from industry, universities and government, which aims to develop the necessary chemical and structural understanding of geopolymer materials made from waste products for them to be used to capture a significant market share of the concrete business for a given industrial region._x000D_
We are investigating the suitability of a range of soluble silica-bearing waste streams for use as geopolymer concrete feedstocks. In order to utilise a variety of waste streams, either singly or blended, an understanding of the role of secondary metal ions (Fe, Ca, Mg, Ti, etc) in the geopolymerisation process is essential. A range of experimental and analytical techniques is therefore being used to better understand the structure-chemistry-property relationships of geopolymers._x000D_
Currently, we are investigating geopolymers made from a variety of waste streams (fly ash, kaolinite, red mud, etc) available in the Kwinana Industrial Region, Western Australia._x000D_
This paper will detail how the basic scientific research underpinning the project is vital if waste streams of varying composition are to be successfully used in a commercial concrete product and the regional synergies required to develop geopolymers from waste streams._x000D_
FORMAL CITATION:Hart, R D, Lowe, J L, Southam, D C, Perera, D S, Walls, P, Vance, E R, Gourley, T and Wright, K, 2006._x000D_
Aluminosilicate inorganic polymers from waste materials, in Proceedings Green Processing 2006, pp 93-104 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).