Resilient and Environmentally-Friendly Building Materials: Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Students Honoured

The cement industry generates 7–8 % of all global CO₂ emissions. A large proportion of this is created during the production of clinker, the main component in cement. The problem? When the composition of the cement changes, its properties tend to change as well. This is where the Bachelor’s and Master's theses by Sharleen Richter and Lukas Koops come in. The projects focus on alternative building materials that meet the various safety and durability requirements. The »thomas zement 2026« Award jury, which included Prof. Horst-Michael Ludwig (Bauhaus-Universität Weimar), Dipl. Heiko Theuerkauf (thomas zement GmbH & Co. KG) and Dr. Alexander Flohr (Bauhaus-Universität Weimar), commended the high academic standards and practical relevance of the two theses.

»thomas zement 2026« Award Winners

The »thomas zement« Award is presented every year by the thomas zement GmbH & Co. KG for the top student projects at the F.A. Finger-Institute for Building Material Engineering at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. The goal is to recognize outstanding scientific achievements and to support the development of new building materials. Projects submitted for the Award should demonstrate ways to improve material-specific properties, quality, and the environmental sustainability of building materials and structures. The Award is given out in two categories, each with a cash prize of 2,500 euros for Master's theses and 250 euros for Bachelor's theses. The Award ceremony was held as part of the FIB Summer Fest at Coudraystraße.

1st Place Bachelor's Thesis 
Sharleen Richter: »Mörteluntersuchungen mit verschiedenen RC-Sanden hinsichtlich ihrer Eignung zum vollständigen oder teilweisen Natursandersatz«, Supervisor: Prof. Horst-Michael Ludwig, Dipl.-Min. Luise Wedekind

Bachelor graduate Sharleen Richter investigated whether and to what extent recycled materials can replace natural sand in mortar. The goal is to reduce the consumption of raw natural materials and to recycle mineral construction waste into high quality products. The results contribute to conserving resources, strengthening the circular economy in the construction industry, and promoting the use of sustainable building materials.

1st Place Master's Thesis
Lukas Koops: »Einfluss von PCE-Fließmitteln auf die frühe Hydration von Mretanon-Kalksteinmehl-Mischzementen«, Supervisor: Prof. Horst-Michael Ludwig, Dr. Christiane Rößler

In his Master’s thesis, Lukas Koops investigated how modern flow agents influence the early setting and hardening behaviour of environmentally-friendly blended cements that contain limestone powder. The goal is to reliably and effectively use more sustainable cements with lower CO₂ emissions in the construction industry. These results will contribute to a more environmentally-friendly construction industry without compromising on quality and safety.

Winners of the »Hochfester Beton« 2026 Sudent Competition

the long-standing »Hochfester Beton« student competition, organised every year by the F.A. Finger-Institute for Building Material Engineering at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, was also held as part of the event.  The challenge was to produce three concrete samples, each measuring 10x10x10 cm³, that met the specified criteria. Following a curing period in the »Betonlabor« of about two months, the samples were tested for compressive strength. They were then evaluated for the highest average compressive strength.

1st Place
Chris Jannes Müller, whose sample achieved a compressive strength of 211,2 N/mm2

2nd Place
Aaron Schaub, whose sample achieved a compressive strength of 182,6 N/mm2

3rd Place
Victor Maschke, whose sample achieved a compressive strength of 158,6 N/mm2

All participants received cash and non-cash prizes provided by thomas zement GmbH & Co. KG, Dornburg-Camburg.