On May 6, 2025, the Blocoyster project held its final workshop as part of a CERIS Pizza Seminar. Hosted at the Civil Engineering Museum, the event featured presentations by the project team coordinated by Professor Inês Flores-Colen (CERIS) and including Ana P. Soares, Maria Paula Mendes, and Manuel F. Pereira (CERENA), as well as Nicollas Moreira, Rui V. Silva and Giovanna S. Bartels (CERIS).
The workshop highlighted the project’s main results on the production of concrete blocks incorporating oyster shells. Funded under the 6th edition of the Mares Circulares award, in the research projects category (2023), the Blocoyster project was supported by Liga para a Protecção da Natureza (LPN) and Coca-Cola Services, S.A. It was coordinated by CERIS in collaboration with CERENA, both R&D units of IST-ID, and ran for approximately one year.
The final workshop showcased the potential of reusing oyster shells to produce sustainable concrete blocks. Although the circular economy is gaining ground in construction, research on integrating shellfish aquaculture by-products into building materials remains limited, highlighting the relevance of this study. The team presented results on the characterisation and valorisation of oyster shells, the development of block mixtures, and the assessment of mechanical performance, durability and environmental impact.
The audience expressed strong interest in the project outcomes, especially considering the modest funding and short duration, underscoring the dedication of the research team. The LPN’s representative praised the project, affirming that its positive results validated the decision to award it the Mares Circulares prize.
This Pizza Seminar added to the ongoing discussion at CERIS around the reuse of waste and by-products in the production of cementitious materials, reinforcing the R&D unit’s commitment to sustainable and innovative research.
