Start-up turns hard-to-recycle waste into lightweight concrete

A start-up in Budapest is pioneering a new route for difficult waste streams by turning them into construction material.

Makropa has created a product called Waste Light Concrete (WLC), which replaces traditional stone aggregates with shredded waste. As a result, materials that would typically be incinerated or landfilled are locked into long-lasting infrastructure.

From waste to construction

The patented process combines standard concrete ingredients with a proprietary binder and processed wastes which include polystyrene foam, mixed plastics, rigid polymers and even residues such as furnace ash and sawdust.

Once cured, the material behaves like conventional concrete. However, it is significantly lighter and offers additional benefits.

According to the company, the shredded waste performs the same role as stone in traditional mixes. Meanwhile, the binder ensures cohesion, while cementitious components provide structural strength.

Scalable for cities

Makropa says one kilometre of road built with WLC can incorporate between 3 000 and 4 000 tonnes of waste. Therefore, the technology could help cities reduce landfill use and cut disposal costs, says company founder Károly Bus.

At the same time, it offers potential climate benefits by diverting waste from incineration and lowering demand for virgin aggregates.

The company has been developing the material since 2021 and is deploying it in applications which include road bases, foundations, insulation panels and sound-damping structures.

Performance advantages

Initial testing points to several advantages. The material offers improved acoustic performance and remains lightweight, which can simplify handling and transport.

In addition, it shows promising resistance to certain impacts, expanding its use in specialised construction settings.

As a result, Makropa is looking for partners to realise large-scale infrastructure projects.