Reutilization of Ceramic Waste as Supplementary Cementitious Material

The production of Portland cement (PC) has the highest environmental impact among the different components of concrete. Also, although ceramic products are consumed worldwide and constitute a significant fraction of construction and demolition waste, significant amounts of ceramic waste (BCW) are simply landfilled or used as road sub-bases. This study analyzed previous research on the reuse and recovery of BCW as a supplementary cementing material in PC binders, calcium aluminate cement, Ca(OH)2, and gypsum. Most of the studies investigated the use of BCW as a pozzolanic addition in CP systems and, despite the fact that the reactivity varied depending on the type of BCW used, in general satisfactory properties (physical, mechanical and durability) were obtained by substituting between 10 and 30% by weight of the cement. BCW/PC binders contribute to the circular economy and sustainable development, making it possible to reduce both the amounts of waste deposited in landfills, as well as CO2 emissions and the consumption of natural resources and energy associated with the production of PC.