Sustainable functional ceramics

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Functional ceramics are experiencing rapid market growth, projected at 35% annually until 2030, driven by electronics, energy storage, and automotive applications.
• The energy-intensive mining and manufacturing processes for ceramics result in substantial greenhouse gas emissions.
• Addressing the environmental impact is crucial for the sustainable development of this expanding sector.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and evaluate measures for enhancing the sustainability of functional ceramic materials.
• To assess the potential impact and technology readiness of low-energy and low-CO2 production methods.
• To propose an action plan for reducing CO2-equivalent emissions in future functional ceramic production.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of sustainable production techniques (low-energy, low-CO2).
• Evaluation of technology readiness for diverse ceramic architectures and complexities.
• Analysis of end-of-life recycling strategies and critical raw material roles.
• Assessment of policy measures supporting sustainable practices.

Main Results:

• Identification of viable low-energy and low-CO2 production methods for functional ceramics.
• Assessment of the feasibility of these methods across various nanoscale architectures and applications.
• Evaluation of recycling strategies and the impact of critical raw materials.
• A proposed action plan for reducing CO2-equivalent emissions in ceramic manufacturing.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive blueprint is provided for designing and manufacturing sustainable functional ceramic materials.
• Implementing proposed strategies can significantly lower CO2-equivalent emissions.
• Policy support is essential for the widespread adoption of sustainable practices in the functional ceramics industry.