Topic Editors

Dr. El Messaoudi Noureddine
Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 11623, Saudi Arabia
Prof. Dr. Maria Harja
Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, D. Mangeron, 73, 700050 Iasi, Romania

Circular Materials Engineering: Waste Valorization and Sustainable Applications

Abstract submission deadline
31 October 2026
Manuscript submission deadline
31 December 2026
Viewed by
12893

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

The various materials utilized in applications such as energy production and storage, environmental protection, construction and building, electronic and optoelectronic have all been the subject of extensive scientific research in recent years. These materials have attracted a great deal of interest from researchers in many different disciplines because of their unique qualities. The physical, chemical, optical, and surface properties of these make them useful in the abovementioned fields.

Waste byproducts, are extensively studied for resource conservation and their implicit minimization of environmental impacts.

It is well known that creating novel materials for different applications is a significant issue today. In actuality, the study of new materials from waste or derivates must examine the remediation of water, air, and soil or the obtainment of  materials with added value.

The main objective of this Topic is to bring further attention to materials synthesized from wastes and their application in new and green technologies.

Circular Materials Engineering: Waste Valorization and Sustainable Applications is a topic devoted to advanced applications of materials obtained by waste capitalization.

For this Topic, applications such as energy storage, wastewater treatment, photocatalysis, air purification, soil treatment, adsorbents, glass and ceramic applications, concrete and mortars, and insulation materials, among others, are taken into consideration.

We kindly invite you to submit your work on this Topic in the form of a research article, communication, or review.

Dr. El Messaoudi Noureddine
Prof. Dr. Maria Harja
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • circular economy
  • construction and demolition wastes
  • ash/slag reuse
  • green mortar and concrete
  • composite
  • agri-food wastes
  • wastewater treatment

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Buildings
buildings
3.4 5.6 2011 14.7 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Clean Technologies
cleantechnol
5.9 9.4 2019 20.9 Days CHF 1800 Submit
Materials
materials
3.7 7.0 2008 14.4 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Recycling
recycling
5.2 7.5 2016 19.4 Days CHF 1800 Submit
Sustainability
sustainability
4.1 8.9 2009 16.9 Days CHF 2400 Submit

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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19 pages, 17828 KB  
Article
Experimental Identification of Dynamic State Boundary Surface of Red Mudstone Fill Material
by Gaofeng Pan, Xianfeng Liu, Kang Chen, Yanfei Zhang, Danxi Sun, Qihong Wu and Ran Tang
Materials 2026, 19(19), 4178; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19194178 - 30 Sep 2026
Viewed by 125
Abstract
Red mudstone fill material (RMF) has been used as a substitute fill material in railway subgrades, but its allowable dynamic response under long-term cyclic loading has not been clearly identified. This paper presents an experimental identification of the dynamic state boundary surface (DSBS) [...] Read more.
Red mudstone fill material (RMF) has been used as a substitute fill material in railway subgrades, but its allowable dynamic response under long-term cyclic loading has not been clearly identified. This paper presents an experimental identification of the dynamic state boundary surface (DSBS) of RMF under different water contents and cyclic stress levels. A series of single-stage cyclic triaxial tests with up to 50,000 loading cycles was performed on compacted RMF specimens. The DSBS was illustrated by the isolines of loading cycles and cyclic stress in terms of permanent axial strain, strain amplitude, axial strain rate, equivalent Young’s modulus, and dissipated energy. Clear two-stage behavior was observed in the evolution of permanent deformation, equivalent Young’s modulus and dissipated energy, indicating that the effect of loading cycles should be incorporated into the state boundary framework. The DSBS based on deformation-related variables showed pronounced water content dependence, but the gradual variation in these variables led to ambiguity in identifying the shakedown ranges, especially the creep limit. In contrast, the dissipated-energy-based DSBS exhibited a stable lower boundary at high loading cycles. Two characteristic dissipated energy levels, 0.01 kPa and 0.04 kPa, were therefore defined as the boundaries for the shakedown limit and creep limit of RMF, respectively, regardless of water content and cyclic stress state. The energy classification was supported by saturated RMF tests and field excitation data from the Dazhou–Chengdu railway. These results suggest that dissipated energy can serve as a unified indicator for evaluating the stability of RMF subgrade, and that the DSBS provides a practical framework for characterizing the allowable dynamic response of clayey fill materials. Full article
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18 pages, 1501 KB  
Article
Circular Economy Assessment of Photovoltaic Modules for Solar Plants: A Case Study in Saudi Arabia
by Mubarak M. Alkahtani, N. A. M. Kamari, M. A. A. M. Zainuri and Fathy A. Syam
Sustainability 2026, 18(17), 8670; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18178670 - 24 Aug 2026
Viewed by 415
Abstract
This research presents a straightforward and detailed method for calculating the cost of recycling solar panels and the associated economic benefits. The contribution of this research is to estimate the impact of the recycling process on the cost of energy and the payback [...] Read more.
This research presents a straightforward and detailed method for calculating the cost of recycling solar panels and the associated economic benefits. The contribution of this research is to estimate the impact of the recycling process on the cost of energy and the payback period. The Full Recovery End-of-Life Photovoltaic (FRELP) method was utilized to assess the PV recycling process. Calculations were made for every 1000 kg of solar panels and converted to calculate the cost and revenue per square meter of panels. Calculations showed that the cost of recycling in Saudi Arabia reached 9.46 $/m2 based on the geographical environment, fuel prices, and the various materials used in recycling processes, while the revenue was approximately 24.6 $/m2 according to the current prices of materials resulting from the recycling process, especially the price of silver. The study results were applied to a 400 MW solar power plant to determine the feasibility of recycling the energy price and the payback period. The solar power plant was designed using variable-sized solar panels with capacities of 255, 330, and 580 watts. The recycling revenue for the plant with the smaller panels was the highest, being $2.6 M as an annual rate. Full article
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18 pages, 2430 KB  
Article
Waste Control by Waste: Red Mud-Based Porous Carbothermal Composite for Efficient Remediation of Manganese and Ammonia Nitrogen in Contaminated Soil
by Xinyue Shi, He Shang, Lei Wang, Hongxia Li, Meilin Liu and Yingchun Sun
Materials 2026, 19(14), 3076; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19143076 - 17 Jul 2026
Viewed by 337
Abstract
The co-contamination of manganese ions (Mn2+) and ammonia nitrogen (NH4+) caused by the stockpiling of manganese residue poses a serious threat to the ecological environment. In this study, a series of the composite was prepared from red mud, [...] Read more.
The co-contamination of manganese ions (Mn2+) and ammonia nitrogen (NH4+) caused by the stockpiling of manganese residue poses a serious threat to the ecological environment. In this study, a series of the composite was prepared from red mud, bentonite, and corn straw via oxygen-limited pyrolysis. The effects of pyrolysis temperature and raw material ratio on the material properties were investigated, and the synergistic remediation performance of the composites for Mn2+ and NH4+ in manganese residue-contaminated soil was evaluated through a 180-day soil column experiment. The results showed that the composite prepared with a raw material ratio of 1:1:1 at a pyrolysis temperature of 700 °C exhibited the largest specific surface area and the most developed pore structure, achieving a Mn2+ removal rate of 92.72% ± 0.85% in aqueous solution. In the soil column experiment, the material prepared at 700 °C gave the highest immobilization rate for soil Mn2+ (96.22% ± 0.5%), whereas the combined addition of materials prepared at 700 °C and 500 °C achieved the best removal efficiency for NH4+ (99.33% ± 0.23%). Mechanistic studies revealed that the stabilization of Mn2+ is primarily attributable to alkaline precipitation and mineral lattice solid solution induced by the composite, leading to the formation of stable spinel phases (e.g., (Fe,Mn)3O4) and insoluble manganese phosphate-carbonate salts. The removal of NH4+ is proposed to proceed via adsorptive enrichment by the porous structure and Fe0-mediated Fenton-like catalytic oxidation, ultimately converting NH4+ to N2 gas. The 180-day monitoring results demonstrated that the remediation effect continuously increased over time, indicating good long-term stability of the composite. This study provides an efficient, low-cost functional material derived from solid waste for the remediation of manganese residue-contaminated soil and offers a theoretical basis for the synergistic resource utilization of multiple solid wastes. Full article
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24 pages, 2573 KB  
Article
Structure–Property Relationships of Polylactic Acid Composites Reinforced with Chemically Recycled Carbon Fibers from CFRP Waste
by Mariyam Hussain, Fatima Alsenaani, Afnan Khalil, AlRayyan Albazi, Fatemeh Bahaeddin, Noura Al-Mazrouei and Ameera F. Mohammad
Recycling 2026, 11(6), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling11060109 - 18 Jun 2026
Viewed by 1590
Abstract
The rapid growth in the use of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) and fused-deposition-modeled (FDM) polylactic acid (PLA) has generated substantial non-biodegradable and thermoplastic waste streams, creating urgent needs for scalable recycling and valorization strategies. This study develops and evaluates an integrated route that [...] Read more.
The rapid growth in the use of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) and fused-deposition-modeled (FDM) polylactic acid (PLA) has generated substantial non-biodegradable and thermoplastic waste streams, creating urgent needs for scalable recycling and valorization strategies. This study develops and evaluates an integrated route that chemically recovers carbon fibers (CFs) from CFRP waste and converts them into high-performance reinforcements for recycled PLA matrices. CFRP fragments were pre-swollen in acetic acid (120 °C, 1 h), then depolymerized by means of oxidation with 1 M KMnO4 (100 °C, 2 h), washed, dried (100 °C, 24 h), and size-reduced by means of cryogenic milling. Recycled CFs (treated) and untreated CFRP fragments were blended with 3D-printing PLA waste at 10, 20 and 30 wt.% via melt mixing (175 °C, 5 min, 70 rpm) and molded into ASTM D638 dog-bone specimens. Materials were characterized via XRD, FTIR, Raman, SEM and mechanical testing. XRD and Raman confirmed retention of the graphitic backbone after treatment; FTIR and Raman revealed oxygen-containing surface functionalization consistent with oxidation, while SEM showed effective removal of epoxy and improved fiber surface cleanliness. Compared with neat PLA (tensile strength 45.4 MPa; modulus 2.6 GPa; elongation 6.3%), composites reinforced with chemically recycled CFs exhibited marked mechanical enhancement: at 30 wt.% treated CF, the tensile strength increased to 102.6 MPa (+126%), elastic modulus to 11.7 GPa (+350%), and toughness to 250.3 MPa, while ductility decreased to 2.9%. Equivalent composites with untreated CFRP exhibited smaller gains (30 wt.%: tensile 87.3 MPa; modulus 10.3 GPa), highlighting the benefit of epoxy removal and surface activation for fiber–matrix adhesion. The proposed chemical recycling pathway is operationally simple and cost-effective, produces reusable CFs with preserved graphitic structure and enhanced surface chemistry, and enables the fabrication of high-performance, waste-derived PLA composites suitable for structural and engineering applications. This work demonstrates a viable waste-to-value approach that advances circularity for both CFRP and 3D-printing polymer waste streams. Full article
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16 pages, 3536 KB  
Article
Innovation and Sustainable Tailing Management: Technological and Mineralogical Characterization of Rock Powder from the São Paulo Aggregate Industry for Potential Reuse
by Ana Olivia Barufi Franco-Magalhães, Fabiano Cabañas Navarro, Rogério Pinto Ribeiro and Jacqueline Zanin Lima
Sustainability 2026, 18(8), 3932; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18083932 - 15 Apr 2026
Viewed by 620
Abstract
Brazilian soils are prone to a gradual decline in fertility due to intensive agricultural activity combined with natural weathering, which increases the demand for chemical fertilizers. Among potential alternatives, soil remineralization using crushed rock is a promising strategy. Silicate agrominerals (SAs) applied as [...] Read more.
Brazilian soils are prone to a gradual decline in fertility due to intensive agricultural activity combined with natural weathering, which increases the demand for chemical fertilizers. Among potential alternatives, soil remineralization using crushed rock is a promising strategy. Silicate agrominerals (SAs) applied as soil remineralizers have attracted attention due to their ability to supply plant-available nutrients while reducing dependence on conventional mineral fertilizers. This study evaluated the potential of residues from six quarries in Brazil as soil remineralizers as a regulatory screening assessment. Samples were subjected to mineralogical, petrological, and chemical characterization using an integrated approach, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), and leaching experiments. XRD analysis revealed that anorthite and augite were the major minerals present in the mining waste. These minerals are less resistant to weathering, which enhances the release of macro- and micronutrients, essential for the development of various crops. Chemically, the samples were dominated by SiO2, Fe2O3, and Al2O3, with the sum of bases (K2O + CaO + MgO) ranging from 11.92% to 16.85%, meeting Brazilian standards for use as a soil remineralizer. Leaching results revealed that pH responses varied significantly among the studied samples for the filler particles, with an alkaline shift reaching values above 9.0 after 72 h. In contrast, the powder particle size samples showed no significant variation between the different materials tested, maintaining nearly constant pH levels throughout the period. This preliminary evaluation demonstrates that mining tailings from Brazilian quarries have potential as a sustainable soil remineralizer. This approach not only offers an alternative for soil fertilization but also promotes waste management and circular economy practices, although further studies are needed to assess long-term effectiveness and safety. Full article
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23 pages, 12039 KB  
Article
Synthesis of Phosphoanhydrite Binders Based on Phosphogypsum from Various Industrial Sources
by Nataliya Alfimova, Kseniya Levickaya, Ivan Nikulin, Mikhail Lebedev and Natalia Kozhukhova
Recycling 2026, 11(3), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling11030046 - 2 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1002
Abstract
Phosphogypsum is one of the most widely produced gypsum-containing wastes. Therefore, researchers worldwide are exploring ways to recycle them. It is most often considered as an alternative to natural gypsum in the production of calcium sulfate hemihydrate. There are also isolated studies aimed [...] Read more.
Phosphogypsum is one of the most widely produced gypsum-containing wastes. Therefore, researchers worldwide are exploring ways to recycle them. It is most often considered as an alternative to natural gypsum in the production of calcium sulfate hemihydrate. There are also isolated studies aimed at producing insoluble anhydrite (CaSO4 II) from phosphogypsum. Compared to hemihydrate, anhydrite is characterized by greater strength and water resistance, and compared to Portland cement, it demonstrates lower energy consumption and CO2 emissions during production. This study examined the possibility of phosphoanhydrite binder (CaSO4 II) synthesis by calcination at 600, 800, and 1000 °C of phosphogypsum from four different industrial plants. Phosphoanhydrite binders capable of self-hardening, without the use of special additives, were synthesized. Their maximum strength at 28 days reached 57 MPa, and 69 MPa at 90 days. New data have been obtained regarding the influence of initial phosphogypsum characteristics and calcination temperature on the properties of CaSO4 II and the hardened phosphoanhydrite paste. Full article
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18 pages, 2226 KB  
Article
Valorizing the Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste (OFMSW) as Composite Panels for Construction or Furniture
by Cecilia Solís, Armin Kriele, Borja Oliver-Tomas, Martin Hitzl, Juan Carlos Guerrero Ramos, José Luis Millá Tamarit, Alicia Marco Aleixandre, Rosa Maria Pérez Campos, Arturo Valero and Michael Renz
Recycling 2026, 11(2), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling11020032 - 2 Feb 2026
Viewed by 1398
Abstract
Residual lignocellulosic biomass represents a major resource to be incorporated into the circular economy, with up to 1400 Mt/y in EU27. Due to its complex composition of three biopolymers (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) combined with its seasonal and regional variability and high water [...] Read more.
Residual lignocellulosic biomass represents a major resource to be incorporated into the circular economy, with up to 1400 Mt/y in EU27. Due to its complex composition of three biopolymers (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) combined with its seasonal and regional variability and high water content, its valorization involves manifold challenging aspects. Herein a three-step procedure is presented to transform this type of biomass into solid composite panels: hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), dry thermal treatment and curing a phenolic resin. HTC triggers chemical dehydration of the polysaccharide part of the lignocellulose and breaks up the cell structure of the plants. This facilitates the diffusion of the water and its separation by filtration, which is more energy efficient than evaporation. HTC and thermal treatment induce chemical changes that concentrate the carbon content and make the material suitable for crosslinking with a phenolic resin, achieving a 90% renewable content. The composite panels are competitive with products of the particle and fiberboard sector with respect to tensile strength and screw withdrawal resistance. Hence, the products can be employed for construction or in the furniture industry. Full article
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54 pages, 1952 KB  
Review
Removal of Kerosene from Wastewater: Current Trends and Emerging Perspectives for Environmental Remediation
by Noureddine El Messaoudi, Youssef Miyah, Jordana Georgin, Dison S. P. Franco, Andrew Nosakhare Amenaghawon, Bambang Sardi, Ashraf M. Al-Msiedeen and Maria Harja
Sustainability 2026, 18(1), 277; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18010277 - 26 Dec 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2343
Abstract
Kerosene spills from industrial processes, oil spills, and improper waste disposal can pose significant risks to human health and the environment due to their toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulation. This review will provide an integrated overview of kerosene removal from wastewater, drawing on the [...] Read more.
Kerosene spills from industrial processes, oil spills, and improper waste disposal can pose significant risks to human health and the environment due to their toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulation. This review will provide an integrated overview of kerosene removal from wastewater, drawing on the most recent developments, material design recommendations, scalability concepts, and possible future directions. Conventional treatment processes such as adsorption, membrane separation, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), and biodegradation are assessed critically in light of performance, scalability, and environmental applicability. The review focuses on the synthesis of novel materials such as nanocomposites, porous materials, functionalized polymers, and bio-inspired materials based on designs of high selectivity, reusability, and improved degradation/separation efficiencies. In addition, some emerging trends are highlighted with the review, including the use of cost–effective and sustainable materials, and the circular economy. Given the substantial knowledge- and problem-gap issues, the goal of this research is to provide pathways for researchers to develop efficient, sustainable, and scalable kerosene–contaminated wastewater treatment technologies to assist with water resourcing and conservation. Full article
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14 pages, 4391 KB  
Article
A Green-Synthesized Fluorescent Carbon Dot Probe Derived from Banana Peel for Cellular Imaging and Sensing of Tetracycline
by Sihua Zeng, Chunrong Qin, Yuzhu Zhang, Haoyu Chen and Hua Lin
Materials 2025, 18(22), 5211; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18225211 - 17 Nov 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1660
Abstract
The valorization of biomass waste represents an important direction in green chemistry. This study successfully prepared blue fluorescent carbon dots (BP-CDs) from waste banana peels via a one-step hydrothermal method, establishing a dual-functional platform for both pollutant detection and cellular imaging. The resulting [...] Read more.
The valorization of biomass waste represents an important direction in green chemistry. This study successfully prepared blue fluorescent carbon dots (BP-CDs) from waste banana peels via a one-step hydrothermal method, establishing a dual-functional platform for both pollutant detection and cellular imaging. The resulting material exhibited uniform particle size (~2.05 nm), good water dispersibility, and strong fluorescence emission at 445 nm under 360 nm excitation. It maintained over 93% of its initial fluorescence intensity after 20 days, demonstrating excellent stability. Based on the inner filter effect, the probe enabled a highly selective detection of tetracycline with a detection limit of 0.191 µM and two wide linear ranges (0–15 µM, R2 = 0.996; 15–95 µM, R2 = 0.991). Cellular experiments confirmed the good biocompatibility of BP-CDs (cell viability > 84%) and their successful application in cell imaging. More importantly, the probe achieved visual observation and semi-quantitative analysis of the distribution and content of tetracycline in living cells, providing a direct tool for studying the cellular behavior of antibiotics. This work not only offers a new strategy for banana peel valorization but also develops a green fluorescence imaging platform suitable for tracking intracellular pollutants. Full article
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24 pages, 704 KB  
Article
Is It Worth It? Potential for Reducing the Environmental Impact of Bitumen Roofing Membrane Production
by Michael T. Schmid and Charlotte Thiel
Recycling 2025, 10(6), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling10060208 - 13 Nov 2025
Viewed by 1958
Abstract
Between 51% and 72% of a bituminous roofing membrane used for structural waterproofing consists of organic material, predominantly bitumen—a derivative of crude oil refining—highlighting the strong dependence of this product on fossil resources. Considering that several tonnes of these membranes must be replaced [...] Read more.
Between 51% and 72% of a bituminous roofing membrane used for structural waterproofing consists of organic material, predominantly bitumen—a derivative of crude oil refining—highlighting the strong dependence of this product on fossil resources. Considering that several tonnes of these membranes must be replaced every 30 to 50 years, substantial potential exists for emission reduction through the establishment of circular material systems. This study investigates this potential by analysing 26 Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and life cycle datasets from across Europe covering the period from 2007 to 2023. To ensure comparability, all data were normalised to a declared unit of 1 kg of roofing membrane. The reinforcement layers were categorised into glass and polyester & glass composites, and their differences were examined using Welch’s t-tests. Correlative analyses and linear as well as multiple regression models were then applied to explore relationships between environmental indicators and the shares of organic and mineral mass fractions. The findings reveal that renewable energy sources, although currently representing only a small share of total production energy, provide a major lever for reducing nearly all environmental impact categories. The type of reinforcement layer was also found to influence the demand for fossil resources, both materially and energetically. For most environmental indicators, only multiple regression models can explain at least 30% of the variance based on the proportions of organic and mineral inputs. Overall, the study underscores the crucial importance of high-quality, transparently documented product data for accurately assessing the sustainability of building products. It further demonstrates that substituting fossil energy carriers with renewable sources and optimising material efficiency can substantially reduce environmental burdens, provided that methodological consistency and clarity of indicator definitions are maintained. Full article
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