Textile waste reinforced cementitious composites: state of the art and future perspectives

The growing textile waste from fast fashion and high consumption has increased the search for ways to reduce landfill disposal and promote circular material flows. This review analyzes the state of the art of cementitious composites reinforced with textile waste, encompassing different matrices, fiber formats, and processing strategies, as well as evaluating the mechanical, physical, and environmental parameters reported in the literature. A search in the Scopus and Web of Science databases from 2015 to February 2026 resulted in 23 articles after screening. The studies indicate an expressive increase in publications from 2021 onward, with Spain and Portugal emerging as the main contributors. Fiber incorporation generally reduces compressive strength (CS) due to increased porosity and the relatively weak fiber-matrix interface. Conversely, consistent improvements are observed in flexural strength (FS), toughness, post-cracking capacity, and thermal performance, particularly in laminated composites. Strategies such as the use of supplementary materials, fiber pre-treatments, and microstructural optimization effectively mitigate strength loss and improve bonding and durability. Environmental assessments highlight potential CO₂ reductions and contributions to the circular economy. Despite these advances, important gaps remain, including the need for long-term durability studies, full-scale evaluations, and comprehensive life cycle assessments. Overall, findings indicate a promising field, although further advances are still required to expand its applications in the construction sector.