The interdisciplinary GreenRef project of Montanuniveraität with an industry partner investigates the technical possibilities of reducing CO₂ emissions during the production and manufacturing of raw materials. The current focus of the project is on the carbonation of geogenic and technogenic materials. The geological availability and suitability of Mg- and Ca-rich rocks for carbonation and fixation of CO₂ is investigated at the Chair of Geology and Economic Geology and Chair of Resource Mineralogy. Similar projects investigating the effects of CO₂ and other gases on rocks and cements are carried out for the oil and gas industry.

The methodological approach of these industry-funded projects includes the complete mineralogical/petrographic and chemical material characterisation by means of optical and electron microscopy, X-ray diffractions and chemical analyses (XRF). These investigations are done by Dr. Monika Feichter.