Boral Limited has trialled recycled sand for concrete using crushed glass from end-of-life and damaged solar panels. It has been created for Victoria’s North East Link project consisting of 6.5km of tunnels.

Sand from solar glass is an environmentally sustainable substitution to traditional sand. This was pushed by Spark North East Link Design & Construct Joint Venture, a consortium that comprises of world-leading construction companies and one of Australia’s largest road and tunnel operators that has been involved in the trial of solar glass sand.

Boral sourced the glass from ElecSome where the glass was crushed and processed at ElecSome’s recycling facility and then blended with up to 50% natural sand.

Test loads of concrete were transported from Tullamarine to Bulleen who supplies concrete to the North East Link project. Where a trial concrete slab has been laid on site.

“We’re excited to be leading the development of concrete mixes containing solar glass sand, an innovative new product that will be used in Victoria’s biggest project in history. The success of this sustainable concrete mix in a commercial project provides an effective pathway for recycling of end-of-life solar panels and contributes further to sustainability of the construction and building industry,” Boral head of sustainability and innovation Dr Ali Nezhad says.

“Our solar glass sand concrete trial demonstrates the ability and strength of reusing materials to create a circular economy. We are excited about the next generation of work being done around new and innovative building construction materials.”