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Sustainability
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Innovations in Cementitious Materials Towards Carbon Emissions Reduction
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Innovations in Cementitious Materials Towards Carbon Emissions Reduction

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 July 2025 | Viewed by 3962

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Regina Kalpokaitė-Dičkuvienė

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Materials Research & Testing, Lithuanian Energy Institute, Breslaujos St.3, 44403 Kaunas, Lithuania
Interests: materials science; hydration and nanostructure of cement; modification of cement-based materials' characteristics through the application of different types of nano- and micromaterials; pozzolanic activity of waste materials and their application for cementitious binding materials with an emphasis related to the development of sustainable construction materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is our pleasure to announce a new Special Issue, entitled “Innovations in Cementitious Materials towards Carbon Emissions Reduction” for the journal Sustainability.

In the dynamic landscape of construction materials, the synergy of innovations, sustainability, and carbon emission reduction is paramount. Therefore, researchers and engineers are invited to share their insights and novel approaches to enhance the performance of cement-based materials while minimizing environmental impact.

This special issue is dedicated to the dissemination of original research and review on the materials science of cement and other mineral binders. In line with traditional Portland cement, the sustainability drives to explore novel binding materials, alternative raw materials as cement precursors, sustainable additives, and fillers that modify cement properties, enhance performance, and divert waste from landfills.

Chemical reactions occurring during cement hydration shape the material’s properties. Chemical and microstructural characterization of hydrated systems including innovations in self-healing mechanisms, crack propagation minimization through the tailoring of microstructure, pore refinement, and crystal growth; processes of degradation of cementitious materials; material properties, durability aspects contributing to the sustainable longevity of cementitious binding materials form the major themes of this special issue.

Papers concerning the behavior, repair, and maintenance of structural components and systems, and other applications to non-building infrastructure (roads, bridges, tunnels, etc.) are unfortunately outside the scope of this issue.

Dr. Regina Kalpokaitė-Dičkuvienė
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cement
  • binder
  • hydration
  • microstructure
  • supplementary cementitious materials
  • nano additives
  • self-healing mechanisms
  • crack propagation
  • pore refinement
  • pore structure

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

26 pages, 1609 KiB  
Review
Factors Influencing the Carbonation Kinetics of Calcium Silicate-Based Binders—An Overview
by Raimundas Siauciunas, Agne Smigelskyte and Neda Aliukonyte
Sustainability 2025, 17(9), 4191; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17094191 - 6 May 2025
Viewed by 245
Abstract
The production of hydraulic binders, representing the essential constituent part of concrete and mortar, can be associated with high energy consumption and huge CO2 emissions (at least 2.4 billion tons in 2022). Without appropriate measures, the situation will only worsen. The global [...] Read more.
The production of hydraulic binders, representing the essential constituent part of concrete and mortar, can be associated with high energy consumption and huge CO2 emissions (at least 2.4 billion tons in 2022). Without appropriate measures, the situation will only worsen. The global annual output of cement stood at 4.4 billion tons of cement, whereas the annual production has been increasing at a rate of ca 5%. In order to significantly reduce CO2 emissions, the following solutions are most widely used in the world: clinker additives; unconventional fuels; decreased energy-related expenses; and technological innovations. However, these are not sufficient to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and bring them close to zero. Therefore, the utilization and development of alternative binders denoted by a reduced CO2 footprint in comparison to that of conventional cement are among the main objectives of building materials manufacturers as well as researchers. This paper reviews obstacles, solutions and alternatives for the fabrication of hydraulic cementitious materials, along with the general principles of the carbonization of binders, such as natural processes and intensified processes, the impact of various parameters on the chemical and physical transformations, as well as the mechanism of interaction of OPC, belite, and blended cement with CO2. The production of low-lime binders, along with time-optimized carbonation, can significantly improve carbon footprint values. However, due to the huge variety of blended cements, their hardening process by mineral carbonation needs to be investigated extensively and systematically, as it is emphatically dependent on many numerical values and criteria. Environmentally and economically acceptable production can only be achieved on the grounds of the optimized parameters of the entire process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Cementitious Materials Towards Carbon Emissions Reduction)
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28 pages, 4035 KiB  
Review
Modern Methods of Asbestos Waste Management as Innovative Solutions for Recycling and Sustainable Cement Production
by Karol Durczak, Michał Pyzalski, Tomasz Brylewski, Michał Juszczyk, Agnieszka Leśniak, Marek Libura, Leonas Ustinovičius and Mantas Vaišnoras
Sustainability 2024, 16(20), 8798; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16208798 - 11 Oct 2024
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3194
Abstract
Managing asbestos waste presents a significant challenge due to the widespread industrial use of this material, and the serious health and environmental risks it poses. Despite its unique properties, such as resistance to high temperatures and substantial mechanical strength, asbestos is a material [...] Read more.
Managing asbestos waste presents a significant challenge due to the widespread industrial use of this material, and the serious health and environmental risks it poses. Despite its unique properties, such as resistance to high temperatures and substantial mechanical strength, asbestos is a material with well-documented toxicity and carcinogenicity. Ensuring the safe removal and disposal of asbestos-containing materials (ACM) is crucial for protecting public health, the environment, and for reducing CO2 emissions resulting from inefficient waste disposal methods. Traditional landfill disposal methods have proven inadequate, while modern approaches—including thermal, chemical, biotechnological, and mechanochemical methods—offer potential benefits but also come with limitations. In particular, thermal techniques that allow for asbestos degradation can significantly reduce environmental impact, while also providing the opportunity to repurpose disposal products into materials useful for cement production. Cement, a key component of concrete, can serve as a sustainable alternative, minimizing CO2 emissions and reducing the need for primary raw materials. This work provides insights into research on asbestos waste management, offering a deeper understanding of key initiatives related to asbestos removal. It presents a comprehensive review of best practices, innovative technologies, and safe asbestos management strategies, with particular emphasis on their impact on sustainable development and CO2 emission reduction. Additionally, it discusses public health hazards related to exposure to asbestos fibers, and worker protection during the asbestos disposal process. As highlighted in the review, one promising method is the currently available thermal degradation of asbestos. This method offers real opportunities for repurposing asbestos disposal products for cement production; thereby reducing CO2 emissions, minimizing waste, and supporting sustainable construction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Cementitious Materials Towards Carbon Emissions Reduction)
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