From Waste to Binder: Leveraging Industrial and Agricultural Solid Waste Streams for Sustainable Geopolymer Production

ABSTRACT

The significant environmental impacts of cement production have spurred the need for alternative materials in cement manufacturing. At the same time, the steady increase in associated solid waste streams underscores the importance of reusing and recycling as an initial step in developing sustainable binder materials. This review examines precursor materials, activators, curing conditions, and solid waste utilization for geopolymer production in emerging economies, highlighting opportunities and challenges. It identifies key requirements for sustainable geopolymer development as a viable cement alternative, transforming waste into valuable construction resources. The investigation found that certain waste streams with high concentrations of silica and alumina, including fly ash, metakaolin, blast furnace slag, and palm oil fuel ash, can be effectively combined with an appropriate alkaline activator to produce a more sustainable material that helps reduce carbon emissions. Alkaline treatment of waste releases silica and alumina, enabling the production of strong, durable geopolymer materials comparable to cement concrete. However, widespread adoption, particularly in developing countries, is hindered by inadequate standards, limited raw‐material data, material variability, curing temperature requirements, large‐scale production challenges, and the need for environmentally friendly activators.