Ceramics in the Circular Economy for a Sustainable World

Dear Colleagues,

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. The traditional model of the economy is linear, i.e., extract resources, produce goods, use products and dispose of waste, resulting in obvious impacts on the environment and human health.

In an attempt to avoid the negative impacts of the traditional linear economy, a new paradigm has emerged based on a circular economy, the implementation of which relies on fundamental changes throughout the value chain, including new approaches for product design and manufacturing technologies, new business models and novel strategies to preserve natural resources and recycle waste into new (secondary) resources, as well as new behaviours, common practices and education.

Ceramics can indeed play a role in this change in paradigm. 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, life cycle assessment, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, renewable energy sources, testing and characterization and regulatory aspects.

This Special Issue aims to build a platform for discussion among various stakeholders involved in the ceramics community and sustainable growth, including researchers from academia, industry and government. This valuable exchange of ideas, methods and results will be key in adjusting to the needs of a world which has infinite desires but finite resources.

Dr. Francesco Baino
Dr. Pardeep Gianchandani
Dr. Enrico Fabrizio
Dr. Bartolomeo Megna
Dr. Manuela Ceraulo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• ceramics
• glass
• composites
• waste management
• cement
• concrete
• mortar
• aggregates
• clay
• oxides
• natural materials
• geopolymers
• energy consumption
• sustainability
• circular economy
• recycling
• upcycling
• carbon neutrality
• recycled fibers
• 3D printing