Management of agricultural waste biomass as raw material for the construction sector: an analysis of sustainable and circular alternatives

Abstract

Background The agricultural and construction sectors demand enormous amounts of natural resources and generate environmental impacts that negatively affect ecosystems. One of the main problems is the generation and inadequate management of waste. For this reason, under the approaches of the new sustainable and circular models, waste valorization has been prioritised as a strategy for advancing towards the sustainability of production systems. This research aims to carry out a general analysis of Agricultural Waste Biomass (AWB) in the production of bio-based products for the construction sector. Bibliometric techniques were applied for the general analysis of the scientific production obtained from Scopus. A systematic review identified the main research approaches. In addition, European projects were reviewed to assess the practical application. This study is novel and provides relevant contributions to new trends in the valorisation of AWB in the building sector and the sustainability benefits. For policymakers, it is a source of information on the contribution of new policies to scientific advances and the aspects that need to be strengthened to improve sustainable and circular practices in both sectors. Results The results show that 74% of the research has been published within the last 5 years. Regarding the main types of AWBs, rice husk ash and sugar cane bagasse ash are the most commonly used in manufacturing a wide variety of bio-based building products. Cement, concrete and bricks are the main bio-based products obtained from AWB. However, a new approach to utilisation was identified in road construction. Conclusions The findings indicate that the AWB is an important resource with great potential for the construction sector. Similarly, that policies on sustainable and circular development have driven scientific progress on new alternatives for the valorisation of AWB to improve sustainability in the construction sector. Although the practical application has also been driven through European projects, development at this level is still low. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen partnerships between these two sectors and improve government strategies on sustainability and circularity to overcome existing constraints.

Agricultural Waste Valorization: Exploring Environmentally Friendly Approaches to Bioenergy Conversion

“…The shift towards a more intentional adoption of these principles gained momentum as scientific understanding advanced and policymakers recognized the potential of sustainable agricultural practices [21]. Historical practices of communities utilizing crop residues for livestock feed or using organic waste as fertilizers provide glimpses into early circular economy practices within agriculture [12].…”

“…By valorizing agricultural waste, farmers and agricultural industries can contribute to sustainable practices, resource efficiency, and the circular economy [11]. Various approaches and technologies are now in place to recover valuable resources from this waste, including organic matter, energy, important bioactive compounds, and nutrients, reducing its negative effects on the whole ecosystem [8,10,12]. Agricultural waste contains a high amount of important bioactive compounds, including proteins, lignin, polyphenols, fibers, and carbohydrates, which can be used as raw materials for various products, such as soil nutrients, bio-pesticides, organic matter [13], energy [14], bio-based oil [15], plastics [16], and leather, paper, and board [17], as well as other agricultural, food, and pharmaceutical goods [18].…”

Experimental investigation of producer gas effects on coated pipelines in biomass downdraft gasifier system

“…Research has shown that factors such as temperature, residence time, biomass composition, and gasification agent influence tar formation and composition [13]. Various reactor configurations, such as downdraft, updraft, and circulating fluidized bed gasifiers, have been investigated to minimize tar content and enhance gasification efficiency.…”

A GIS-Based Mapping for Effective Utilization of Biomass ash in the Construction Sector

“…Some of the concerning problems are seasonal availability, variable quality and composition, transportation and handling costs. Additional cementitious elements like fly ash, blast furnace slag, and silica fume are frequently utilised as (partial) cement replacement materials to lessen the environmental impact in the construction industry [8]. Although these materials are by-products of an industry that are not accessible everywhere, such as in developing nations.…”