Development of energy-saving innovative hydraulic mortars reusing spent coffee ground for applications in construction

This paper reports the development of green bio-composite mortars, obtained reusing spent coffee ground (SCG), an agri-food residue, in the light of the Circular Economy approach. This process can boost the sustainability in Construction and proposes an alternative to SCG disposal in landfill, potentially dangerous to humans and the environment. For the first time, specimens were produced and compared using different blends of conventional hydraulic binders (ordinary Portland cement and natural hydraulic lime); SCG partially substituted sand (up to 15 wt.%, with a 2.5% increment) for the aggregate mix. The manufacturing process was performed at ambient conditions (20°C, 65% RH) resulting hi…