Concrete will remain the most widely used building material but its future lies in reducing its carbon footprint, utilising industrial waste and developing materials with new functional properties. This was commented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alexander Nikolov from the “Acad. Ivan Kostov” Institute of Mineralogy and Crystallography - BAS on the “Futurism” programme on Bloomberg TV Bulgaria, hosted by Anton Gruev. During the discussion, Assoc. Prof. Nikolov outlined the current challenges facing cement and concrete production which contributes significantly to global carbon dioxide emissions. One approach to reducing these emissions is the partial replacement of Portland cement clinker with other mineral raw materials as well as the development of alternative binding materials. Assoc. Prof. Nikolov presented a concrete formulation created entirely from industrial waste materials [...]

In July 2026, the “Clean&Circle” Center of Competence and the Institute of Organic Chemistry with Center for Phytochemistry of BAS hosted a series of events dedicated to scientific exchange, innovation, and the practical application of scientific research. On July 1, a scientific seminar was held in the Center’s new building, attended by Bulgarian and Polish scientists, doctoral students, and undergraduates from Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski.” Guest lecturer Dr. Ruslana Mazurenko from the Polish Academy of Sciences presented research on nanoscale carbon materials for polymer composites with electromagnetic shielding applicable in high technology, automotive engineering, medicine, and the defense industry. Prof. Dr. Boyko Tsyntsarski of the Institute of Organic Chemistry with Center of Phytochemistry (IOCCP–BAS) presented an environmentally friendly technology for converting waste biomass into [...]