Portland Versus Alkaline Cement: Continuity or Clean Break: "A Key Decision for Global Sustainability"

Area of Science:

• Construction Materials Science
• Green Chemistry
• Sustainable Engineering

Background:

• Alkali-activated binders (AABs) are emerging as sustainable alternatives to traditional Portland cement (PC).
• Concerns persist regarding the global availability of precursors and the limited scope of activators used in AAB research.
• Existing Portland cement infrastructure can be adapted for AAB production, minimizing investment needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To refute the notion that AABs are unfeasible due to limited resources.
• To highlight the abundance of AAB precursors worldwide.
• To broaden the understanding of available alkaline activators beyond synthetic options.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of scientific publications on alkali-activated binders.
• Analysis of raw material availability for AAB precursors on a global scale.
• Examination of the chemistry and industrial applicability of various alkaline activators.

Main Results:

• Scientific literature confirms the global abundance of raw materials for AAB production.
• A wide range of sustainable and efficient alkaline activators are available, not limited to synthetic products.
• AAB production technologies are compatible with existing Portland cement manufacturing facilities, requiring minimal investment.

Conclusions:

• Alkali-activated binders present a viable and sustainable alternative to Portland cement.
• The low carbon footprint of one-part AABs necessitates further research into standardization for commercialization.
• Addressing misconceptions about resource availability and activator diversity is crucial for promoting AAB adoption.