Cyprus Waste Bentonites for Sustainable Water-Based Drilling Fluids. Turning zero-value mining waste into high-performance, environmentally friendly drilling fluid additives.
Protocol No. PhD in Industry/1123/2024/0146The CoProDriFlu project (protocol number PhD in Industry/1123/2024/0146) is funded by the Republic of Cyprus, through the Research and Innovation Foundation, and is implemented within the framework of the Cohesion Policy Program "THALEIA 2021 – 2027", through the RESTART/2016 – 2020 programs.
Started in January 2025 for 3 years, the CoProDriFlu research project focuses on the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly water-based drilling fluids (WBF) using Cyprus raw and waste K⁺-rich bentonites with zero economic value. The project aims to transform these waste materials into high-performance drilling fluid additives through mechanical processing, thermal activation, polymer modification, and sol-gel composite preparation techniques.
Overall, the project promotes sustainable development, circular economy principles, waste valorization, and environmentally responsible resource management in the energy sector.
University of Nicosia (UNIC) & Hellenic Mining Public Company Ltd (HMC)
PhD Candidate and Project Coordinator.
Hellenic Mining Public Company Ltd. (Host Organization)
Industrial Supervisor of the PhD candidate, and Host Organization's Legal Representative (OLR).
University of Nicosia (UNIC) — Partner 1
Academic Supervisor of the PhD candidate.
Loizos Papaloizou L.L.C. — Partner 2
Small Enterprise / Research Partner.