Limestone calcined clay cement (LC³) is a recently developed binder with huge potential to reduce the clinker factor in cement and the environmental impact. This study aimed to evaluate the evolution of the research on LC³ by conducting a bibliometric analysis, evaluating key metrics such as publications, authorships, sources, or countries, to provide greater knowledge and a strategic vision of this technology. This work provides an important perspective of the field and elucidates the research trends and path that the LC³ technology followed from its beginning to date. The analysis reveals a noticeable increase in technology readiness and researchers' interest, as indicated by a significant rise in publications' number over time. Also, the authorship metrics reveal an important cooperation between communities in the development of this technology. The research on LC³ is essential since the technology is a viable and reliable approach to decreasing the cement industry's carbon footprint.

The concern about the large amount of weathered bottom ash (WBA) produced in waste-to-energy plants (WtE) has caused an increased search for alternatives to reduce their environmental impact. The present study aims to provide an added value through the WBA valorization from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) for its use as a sole precursor for developing alkali-activated binders (AABs). Alkali-activated weathered bottom ash binders (AA-WBA) were formulated with a liquid-to-solid ratio of 1.0 and using sodium silicate (80 wt.%) and NaOH (20 wt.%) at different concentrations (2, 4, 6, and 8M) as alkali-activator solutions. AA-WBA were cured at room temperature to extend their applicability. The effect of the alkali-activator solution molarity on the final properties of the AA-WBA was evaluated. The physicochemical characterization by XRD, FTIR, and SEM evidenced the presence of the typical phases (calcium silicate hydrate and gehlenite) of C-(A)-S-H gel. Leaching concentrations of As, Cu, and Mo exceed the acceptance in landfills for inert waste, while the leaching concentration of Sb exceeds the one for non-hazardous waste. The structure of the binders depends on the alkalinity of the activator, obtaining better results using NaOH 6M in terms of microstructure and compressive strength (6.7 MPa). The present study revealed that AA-WBA for non-structural purposes can be obtained. The AA-WBA formulation contributes to the WBA valorization and development of low-carbon cements; therefore, it is an encouraged alternative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Considering the amounts and costs of the WBA, sodium silicate, NaOH, and water, the total cost of the developed formulations is comprised in a range between 137.6 and 153.9 €/Tn.

Magnesium Phosphate Cement (MPC) has become an essential reference for investigators seeking alternatives to the use of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) in building sector because of its high environmental impact. The research group developed a MPC formulated with low-grade MgO (LG-MgO) by-product, which could be considered as a sustainable MPC (sust-MPC). This research focuses on the incorporation of different percentages of Microencapsulated Phase Change Materials (MPCM) into sust-MPC, due to their ability to reduce energy consumption of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The study consists of an exhaustive characterization of thermal sustainable MPC (TS-MPC) dosages which incorporate air-entraining additive (AEA) and MPCM to improve their thermal behaviour. Thus, TS-MPC would reduce the use of HVAC systems contributing to the decrease of CO2 emissions and increasing energy efficiency in buildings. Moreover, properties such as bulk density, porosity, thermal conductivity, modulus of elasticity, compressive strength, and flexural strength are analysed to evaluate the potential use of these cements as a part of a passive conditioning system. Results show the proper behaviour of these cements to reduce thermal oscillation in buildings. Experimental results demonstrated the relation between the amount of the MPCM and the AEA percentage as well as the thermal and mechanical properties of the TS-MPC due to their contribution to increase the porosity. Furthermore, it should be noted the increase of porosity and the reduction of thermal conductivity of the optimal formulation, which are 60% higher and 50% lower than the sust-MPC obtained without MPCM and additive, respectively.Postprint (author's final draft

Incineration bottom ashes (IBA) are the main waste from municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration. In the Iberian countries (Portugal and Spain), MSW incineration with energy recovery (WtE) plays an important role in MSW management. IBA is highly produced and managed differently both between and within countries. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the management model of IBA using the Iberian Peninsula as a case study, addressing its properties, current management, incentives and difficulties in valorizing, and prospects. For this purpose, incineration plants of both countries were approached, and a broad literature review was conducted to gather information. About 10% and 41% of IBA have been landfilled in Portugal and Spain, respectively. Metals (mostly ferrous) from Portuguese (6% of IBA) and Spanish (9% of IBA) WtE plants are recycled. In Portugal, the remaining IBA (84%) has been temporarily stored (11%), applied to landfills as a substitute for soil in intermediate and final covers, construction of paths, accesses, and platforms (41%), or used in civil engineering work and road construction (48%). In Spain, the remaining IBA (50%) has been reused mainly as a secondary raw material in the construction and civil engineering fields (77%), while the rest has been temporarily stored (11%), applied in the conditioning of landfills (4%), alsoa secondary aggregate replacing natural materials. Both countries regulate IBA reuse outside landfills but consider different requirements and criteria. Nevertheless, there are both drivers and barriers to valorization. In the future, different IBA applications will likely continue to be developed, with the concern of protecting the environment. Growing confidence in IBA reuse following the publication of proper studies is expected. Globally, uniform legal frameworks among EU members with the same standards would likely lead to better IBA valorization.