Sustainable Cement Alternatives: A Comprehensive Review of Sugarcane Bagasse Ash and Waste Glass Powder Utilization

Abstract

Abstract: The rapid expansion of the construction industry has led to a significant rise in cement consumption, contributing to increased carbon dioxide emissions and the depletion of natural resources. In response, there is growing interest in sustainable alternatives, particularly the use of industrial and agricultural waste as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). This review paper examines the potential of Sugarcane Bagasse Ash (SCBA), a by-product of the sugar industry, and Waste Glass Powder (WGP), derived from discarded glass, as partial replacements for cement in concrete. Owing to their pozzolanic characteristics, both SCBA and WGP can enhance the mechanical strength and durability of concrete while simultaneously reducing its environmental footprint. The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of these materials, their influence on the fresh and hardened properties of concrete, and the optimal replacement levels reported in existing literature.

Introduction

The construction industry, particularly through the production of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), is a major contributor to global CO? emissions, accounting for around 7–8% of total anthropogenic emissions. To address environmental concerns and promote sustainable development, researchers are exploring alternative supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). Two promising SCMs are Sugarcane Bagasse Ash (SCBA) and Waste Glass Powder (WGP) due to their high silica content, pozzolanic properties, and abundant availability.

Environmental and Sustainability Benefits:

1. CO? Reduction: Substituting OPC with SCBA/WGP can reduce emissions by 0.8–0.9 tons of CO? per ton of cement replaced.

2. Waste Management: Reuses agro-industrial (SCBA) and urban (WGP) waste, reducing landfill pressure and pollution.

3. Natural Resource Conservation: Reduces reliance on raw materials like limestone and sand.

4. Energy Efficiency: Lower energy consumption in processing SCBA/WGP compared to cement clinker.

5. Durability: Enhanced chemical resistance, lower permeability, and extended lifespan of concrete.

6. Economic and Local Use: Availability of SCBA and WGP locally cuts transport costs and boosts local industries.

Material Properties:

SCBA:

• Chemical: High in amorphous silica, with Al?O? and Fe?O? contributing to pozzolanic activity.

• Mechanical: Enhances compressive strength, reduces porosity, and improves workability.

WGP:

• Chemical: Contains SiO?, Na?O, CaO, and other oxides, suitable for pozzolanic reactions.

• Mechanical: Improves strength and durability; accelerates early hydration.

Contribution to Circular Economy and Green Building:

SCBA and WGP enable a circular economy by diverting waste to productive use. Their use supports green certification goals (e.g., LEED, BREEAM), reduces embodied carbon, and promotes local sustainability.

Performance in Concrete:

Fresh Properties:

• Workability: SCBA may reduce it (higher water demand), while WGP can improve flow.

• Setting Time: SCBA tends to reduce setting time; WGP’s impact varies by fineness.

Hardened Properties:

• Compressive Strength: Up to 20% total replacement (e.g., 10% SCBA + 10% WGP) improves strength.

• Tensile & Flexural Strength: Gains observed due to denser microstructure.

• Durability: Enhanced resistance to water, chloride, and chemicals; performance drops at higher replacement levels.

Challenges and Limitations:

• Material Variability: Composition and quality of SCBA/WGP depend on source and processing.

• Processing Needs: Requires proper grinding and sieving to ensure effectiveness.

• Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR): WGP may induce ASR unless controlled.

• Workability Issues: High water demand with SCBA; variable rheology with WGP.

• Durability Uncertainties: Long-term effects, especially in harsh climates, are not fully studied.

• Lack of Standards: No universally accepted guidelines exist for using SCBA/WGP in structural concrete.

Practical Recommendations:

1. Optimal Replacement: Limit combined SCMs to 20% for structural applications.

2. Pre-treatment: Ensure fine grinding and impurity removal.

3. Mix Adjustments: Use water reducers or superplasticizers to maintain workability.

4. Start Small: Use in non-structural applications (e.g., sidewalks, paving).

5. Durability Testing: Evaluate sulfate, chloride, freeze-thaw resistance, etc.

6. Quality Control: Standardize tests for chemical makeup, fineness, and ignition loss.

7. Industry Collaboration: Engage industries, government, and researchers to scale use.

8. Training and Awareness: Educate stakeholders through curricula and workshops.

Conclusion

The growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly construction materials has driven extensive research into alternative binders that can partially or fully replace conventional Portland cement. Among the various industrial and agricultural by-products, Sugarcane Bagasse Ash (SCBA) and Waste Glass Powder (WGP) have emerged as promising supplementary cementitious materials due to their high silica content and pozzolanic reactivity. This review highlights that both SCBA and WGP, when properly processed and used within optimal replacement levels, can significantly enhance the mechanical and durability properties of concrete. SCBA contributes to improved strength development and pore refinement due to its pozzolanic action, while WGP improves the microstructure of concrete through filler effects and chemical reactivity. Together, their combination has shown potential to create blended cement systems that are not only cost-effective but also environmentally beneficial by reducing CO? emissions associated with cement production. However, the practical application of these materials is not without challenges. Variability in raw material quality, concerns related to alkali-silica reaction (especially with WGP), and the absence of standardized guidelines limit their widespread acceptance in mainstream construction. Additionally, more long-term studies and field-scale implementations are needed to understand the performance of SCBA and WGP concrete in real-world conditions. To bridge these gaps, future research must focus on establishing consistent quality control measures, developing standards and mix design procedures, and expanding the scope of application to include high-performance and specialty concretes. Governmental support, industry collaboration, and academic engagement are crucial to promoting the use of these sustainable materials in the construction sector. In conclusion, the utilization of SCBA and WGP in concrete offers a viable pathway toward greener construction practices. With the right advancements in research, processing, and policy support, these waste materials have the potential to play a significant role in building a more sustainable future for the concrete industry.

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Durgesh Palakudtewar, Uma Parande, Amit Sable, Sumit Waghmare, Gajendra Yemul, Shobha Rani Nadupuru. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.