Japanese engineers have created a breakthrough material that replaces cement with recycled glass and industrial waste—ushering in a new era for sustainable infrastructure.
Key Points at a Glance
- New geopolymer solidifier made from construction waste meets industry strength standards
- Eliminates cement dependency while cutting carbon emissions and landfill waste
- Calcium hydroxide resolves environmental safety concerns like arsenic leaching
- Applicable in urban, rural, and disaster-prone regions worldwide
The construction industry has a cement problem. Responsible for up to 8% of global carbon emissions, cement is the backbone of modern infrastructure—but also one of its greatest environmental liabilities. Now, researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT) in Japan may have found a way out: a geopolymer-based solidifier made from recycled siding powder and glass that could replace cement in key structural applications.
Led by Professor Shinya Inazumi, the team developed the material using Siding Cut Powder (SCP)—a waste byproduct of construction—and Earth Silica (ES), derived from recycled glass. Their work, recently published in Cleaner Engineering and Technology, shows that this new solidifier not only reduces landfill volumes but also meets and exceeds the compressive strength threshold of 160 kN/m² required for construction-grade materials.
“Our approach offers a circular, high-performance solution for infrastructure development,” said Inazumi. “It turns waste into a valuable resource, cutting emissions and creating more resilient building materials.”
Thermal treatment of SCP at 110–200°C improved its reactivity and helped reduce the volume of material needed, making the solidifier more efficient. Meanwhile, calcium hydroxide was introduced to stabilize arsenic compounds that initially posed an environmental risk—ensuring safety without compromising performance.
This new material could be especially valuable for stabilizing weak clay soils beneath roads, buildings, and bridges—where traditional cement-based methods are expensive, heavy, and environmentally taxing. Its rapid setting times and workability also make it ideal for emergency applications in disaster-prone regions, from earthquake recovery to landslide mitigation.
In rural areas or developing countries, the material could be used to make stabilized soil blocks as a low-cost, low-carbon alternative to fired bricks. And with proven durability against sulfate attack, freeze-thaw cycles, and chloride ingress, its engineering credentials make it appealing for use even in aggressive environments.
Developers working toward green building certifications or seeking carbon offsets may also benefit from adopting this geopolymer innovation. As carbon pricing mechanisms become more prevalent, materials like this one offer a financial and environmental advantage.
“We’re redefining how the world values industrial byproducts,” said Inazumi. “This isn’t just a scientific advancement—it’s a blueprint for the sustainable future of construction.”
The implications are massive. With construction activity intensifying due to rapid urbanization and population growth, shifting to greener materials is no longer optional—it’s imperative. And thanks to this innovation, the same materials once discarded as waste may now form the literal foundations of the future.
Source: Shibaura Institute of Technology
