A Review of Industrial By-Product Utilization and Future Pathways of Circular Economy: Geopolymers as Modern Materials for Sustainable Building

Kinga Korniejenko (), Janusz Mikuła, Karolina Brudny, Lyazat Aruova, Alibek Zhakanov, Assel Jexembayeva and Lailya Zhaksylykova
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Kinga Korniejenko: Faculty of Materials Engineering and Physics, Cracow University of Technology, 31-864 Cracow, Poland
Janusz Mikuła: Faculty of Materials Engineering and Physics, Cracow University of Technology, 31-864 Cracow, Poland
Karolina Brudny: Faculty of Materials Engineering and Physics, Cracow University of Technology, 31-864 Cracow, Poland
Lyazat Aruova: Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Kazhymukan Str. 13, r205, Astana 010008, Kazakhstan
Alibek Zhakanov: Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Kazhymukan Str. 13, r205, Astana 010008, Kazakhstan
Assel Jexembayeva: Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Kazhymukan Str. 13, r205, Astana 010008, Kazakhstan
Lailya Zhaksylykova: Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Kazhymukan Str. 13, r205, Astana 010008, Kazakhstan

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 10, 1-30

Abstract: In the era of increasing climatic requirements and changing approaches towards circular economy (CE), the demand for materials designed with care for the environment is growing. This idea is especially important in the construction industry, where ordinary Portland cement (OPC) production emits a large number of greenhouse gases. The main aim of this article is to demonstrate the possibility of using industrial waste for geopolymer production according to CE goals, including closing material loops. This work is based on a critical analysis of the literature and selected case studies. The most important findings of this article allow us to confirm that the role of industrial waste in the construction industry is growing and that industrial by-products are valuable sources for geopolymer production. The development of sustainable materials allows the introduction of closed loops into production processes by making it possible to reuse materials after the end of use, which is an important issue in the context of introducing CE into practice, especially in existing systems.

Keywords: geopolymers; circular economy; sustainability; recycling; industrial by-products; waste management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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