The Sustainable Resources Database (SReDat) website contains an integrated database of chemistry, X-ray diffractograms, FTIR and Raman spectra, as well as complementary information in selected cases (e.g. Mössbauer spectra, gamma-ray spectrometry…) for a range of sustainable resources.

The need to develop this database emerged after the realisation that the valorisation of residues is high on the agenda, surprisingly though, no available database (to the best of our knowledge), collects and provides information about these alternative materials. This is not the case for minerals, and a fine example is the RRUFF™ Project (https://rruff.info). Inspired by this effort, we decided to develop a platform where data are collected and (freely) distributed to users. The focus for the time-being is on inorganic residues.

The aspiration is to establish a one-stop reference database to which different entities (such as universities, research institutes…) contribute, and which accelerates research. In a later stage, we will create applications where these data/residues are used and materials are synthesized. Finally, in the last stage, the newly synthesized materials are characterised, the properties uploaded in a new database, and correlations between microstructure and performance (for the same processing) emerge. The overall vision is to contribute towards closed material loops and circular economy.

SReDat is an initiative of SREMat, the Sustainable Resources for Engineered Materials research group at the Department of Materials Engineering in KU Leuven.