The circular economy of agro and post‐consumer residues as raw materials for sustainable ceramics

Abstract

The circular economy in the area of waste management implies their re-use as a raw material in different production cycles. Both the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the residues from the agro sector and those of the products of the ceramics sector make possible to think of a feasible application. This review will illustrate some examples of recycling of residues deriving from animal and vegetable sectors (and two post consume products, spent coffee grounds, and packaging glass cullet), studied by the authors, falling within the concept of urban and agricultural sustainable development. Not only the most traditional products such as glass-ceramics, glazes, bricks, but also the most innovative lightweight aggregates for plant structures or in and out soil cultivation, as well as additives such as deflocculants for ceramic suspensions, which will be illustrated from the design/production, characterization, and comparison with commercial products. K E Y W O R D S agricultural sustainable development, agro residues, ceramic products, circular economy, urban sustainable development | 23 ANDREOLA Et AL. How to cite this article: Andreola F, Lancellotti I, Manfredini T, Barbieri L. The circular economy of agro and post-consumer residues as raw materials for sustainable ceramics.

Analysis of the Circular Economic Production Models and Their Approach in Agriculture and Agricultural Waste Biomass Management

“…Similarly, agricultural waste represents an important supply in the biological-based economy [ 43 ]. Many studies have shown that this type of biomass, in addition to having great energetic potential [ 23 , 31 , 44 , 45 ], can be used to manufacture a broad variety of bioproducts, chemicals, and food products [ 31 , 37 , 43 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 ]. In 2013, 17 percent of the dry matter created by primary agricultural waste generated in Europe was used as raw material for the bio-based sectors and bioenergy.…”

Environmental impact estimation of ceramic lightweight aggregates production starting from residues

“…On the other hand, the increasingly tighter regulations regarding waste, the reduction of the non‐renewable resources and their higher prices, and the increasing demand for renewable energy sources and green chemicals are pushing the manufacturing processes toward higher sustainability, to improve cost‐effectiveness and meet customer demand, that is, to circular economy. Agro‐industrial residue valorization represents a real research field widespread all over the world as a potential eco‐sustainable alternative of their management, as demonstrated by several scientific works developed within the ceramic field, relating to both heavy and light products 1‐20 . Within light materials, lightweight aggregates (LWAs) are promising ceramics suitable for plant coverings and cultivation in and outside the ground.…”

“…For instance, P has been inserted or by CBA, or by this residue processed together with packaging glass cullet and K 2 CO 3 in order to obtain a glass, rich in P and K, by melting. 10 wt% of this glass, previously developed by the authors, 20,30 or of flour ash, has been subsequently added to the basic clay mixture, formed into spherical samples, then sintered by thermal treatment, in order to cause a prolonged nutrient release effect over time. The effect of vitrification was studied, because at the firing T glassy grains maintain their properties and the behavior was compared to the flour ash not vitrified.…”

Effect of the plant waste onto the properties of use and the microstructure of phyllosilicates based ceramics

“…In recent years, several research papers have been published regarding the study of incorporating biomass into mineral materials for the production of ceramics and building materials 14‐21 . In some cases, the results show that the incorporation of this type of alternative raw material has a double advantage, in addition to the recovery of this waste, it can also promote the properties of the materials obtained 22‐26 .…”