SMARTINCS · Project

Self-Healing Concrete That Repairs Its Own Cracks and Extends Infrastructure Life

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Imagine concrete that works like skin — when it cracks, it heals itself. SMARTINCS developed materials and techniques that let concrete structures automatically seal their own damage, plus built-in sensors that detect problems before they become dangerous. They also created advanced repair products for existing structures that are already deteriorating. The project trained 15 early-stage researchers to bring these technologies from the lab to the construction market.

By the numbers

Early-stage researchers trained in self-healing concrete technologies

Consortium partners across the value chain

Countries represented in the consortium (BE, ES, IT, NL, UK)

Industry partners including SMEs in the consortium

Project deliverables completed

The business problem

What needed solving

Concrete infrastructure cracks over time, leading to expensive repair cycles, structural safety risks, and massive disruption during maintenance. Traditional repair is reactive — you fix it after damage is visible, by which point corrosion and deterioration may already be advanced. The construction industry needs concrete that prevents and repairs its own damage, extending the useful life of bridges, tunnels, and buildings while cutting maintenance costs.

The solution

What was built

The project built a true scale demonstrator integrating self-healing concrete technologies with embedded sensors for damage detection. They also developed advanced repair products including specialized healing agents for high-risk zones and high-value grouts, alongside service life models and sustainability assessments for market adoption.

Audience

Who needs this

Highway and bridge management authorities dealing with recurring concrete repairsPrecast concrete manufacturers seeking higher-durability product linesConstruction companies bidding on long-lifespan infrastructure projectsTunnel and underground infrastructure operators with corrosion problemsConcrete repair specialists looking for longer-lasting solutions

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Infrastructure management

enterprise

Target: Companies managing bridges, tunnels, and highways

If you are an infrastructure operator dealing with constant concrete repair costs and traffic disruptions — this project developed self-healing concrete technologies and embedded sensors that detect deterioration early. The consortium built a true scale demonstrator proving these work in real conditions, with 3 industry partners already in the value chain. The self-healing agents can be tailored to specific environments, including corrosion-prone zones.

Precast concrete manufacturing

mid-size

Target: Concrete product manufacturers and ready-mix suppliers

If you are a concrete manufacturer looking to differentiate with higher-durability products — SMARTINCS developed self-healing additives at acceptable cost for real-scale applications. The project specifically addressed the gap between lab results and market-ready products, including work on design codes and service life models. With 3 SMEs in the 11-partner consortium, the technology was developed with commercial viability in mind.

Building construction and repair

SME

Target: Specialized concrete repair and maintenance firms

If you are a repair contractor facing rising material costs and shrinking maintenance windows — this project created advanced repair technologies including high-value grouts and repair products with self-healing properties. The technologies target high-risk zones where cracks recur, reducing the need for repeated interventions. The project also delivered sustainability assessments to help justify the investment to building owners.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does self-healing concrete cost compared to standard concrete?

The project explicitly aimed to achieve self-healing at 'acceptable cost for real-scale applications,' acknowledging that earlier solutions were too expensive. Specific cost figures are not published in the available data, but the focus on market introduction and business model development suggests the gap is narrowing. Contact the consortium for current pricing benchmarks.

Can this work at industrial scale, not just in the lab?

Yes — the project delivered a 'true scale demonstrator including self-healing technologies and developed sensors.' This moves beyond lab samples to real-world dimensions. The consortium included 3 industry partners specifically to bridge the lab-to-market gap.

How is the intellectual property handled? Can I license these technologies?

SMARTINCS was an MSCA-ITN training network coordinated by Universiteit Gent with 11 partners across 5 countries. IP is likely distributed across the consortium members. Business model development was part of the ESR training, suggesting commercialization pathways exist. Contact the coordinator for licensing discussions.

Is this compatible with existing building codes and standards?

The project specifically worked on 'implementation of self-healing technologies in design codes and service life models.' Certification and pre-standardization agencies were part of the consortium, which means regulatory integration was built into the project from the start.

How long until these products are commercially available?

The project closed in May 2024 after running since December 2019. With a true scale demonstrator completed and 15 trained researchers now in the workforce, some technologies may already be moving toward commercialization through the 3 SME partners. The self-healing materials market is expected to see significant growth according to the project objectives.

Can self-healing be added to existing structures, or only new builds?

Both. SMARTINCS addressed prevention of deterioration in new concrete infrastructure through self-healing strategies, AND repair of existing infrastructure through advanced repair technologies. This includes local application of healing agents in high-risk zones and specialized repair grouts.

Consortium

Who built it

SMARTINCS brought together 11 partners from 5 countries (Belgium, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, UK), with Universiteit Gent coordinating. The consortium has a strong academic core — 7 universities and 1 research institute — balanced by 3 industry partners (all SMEs), giving a 27% industry ratio. This composition reflects the training-network nature of the project, but the presence of companies along the value chain and certification agencies means the research was always grounded in market needs. For a business looking to adopt these technologies, the university partners offer deep technical expertise while the SME partners demonstrate that commercial interest already exists in the self-healing concrete space.

UNIVERSITEIT GENTCoordinator · BE
AVECOMparticipant · BE
THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGEparticipant · UK
AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICASparticipant · ES
UNIVERSIDAD DE CORDOBAparticipant · ES
POLITECNICO DI MILANOparticipant · IT
MICROPORE TECHNOLOGIES LTDparticipant · UK
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CONCRETES SOCIEDAD LIMITADAparticipant · ES
KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVENparticipant · BE
TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT DELFTparticipant · NL
CARDIFF UNIVERSITYparticipant · UK

How to reach the team

Universiteit Gent (Belgium) coordinated SMARTINCS — reach out through the project website or university contacts for technology transfer discussions.

Order a report on this consortium See UNIVERSITEIT GENT profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore self-healing concrete solutions for your infrastructure? SciTransfer can connect you with the right SMARTINCS partner for your specific application.

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