Ceramics in the Circular Economy for a Sustainable World

The continuous growth in industrial operations and product demand following the rise in the global population has led to the overexploitation of natural resources, which is associated with the generation of huge amounts of waste, pollution, and carbon dioxide emissions. In an attempt to avoid the negative impacts of the traditional linear economy, a new paradigm has emerged based on a circular economy, in which ceramics can indeed play a key role. Over recent years, environmental issues have become the challenges of interest in many industrial ceramic processes, pushing researchers to develop strategies for reducing the processing temperatures and power supply needed (ceramics are typically produced by sintering, and glass is produced by melting). In addition, ceramics researchers are focused on reducing pollution (e.g., minimizing the use of non-eco-friendly solvents), greenhouse gas emissions, and the overall generation of waste and its disposal in landfills. Indeed, all of these achievements are also expected to yield economic benefits for companies and overall society and reduce the impact of the use of materials on the built environment.

This Special Issue focuses on several areas related to ceramics, glasses, and composites, including but not limited to the following: industrial materials, construction and finishing materials, natural materials, waste management, recycling and reuse, the optimization of resources and raw materials.