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Open research questions in Recycling and utilization of industrial and municipal waste in materials production

166 gap statements mined from Recycling and utilization of industrial and municipal waste in materials production papers in our 7.9M-paper local library, which holds 1,415 papers on the topic — drawn mostly from each paper's own stated research gap, future-work, challenge and limitation notes, and its abstract. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one.

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What the literature leaves open

  • One challenge is the potential release of hazardous constituents from the municipal solid waste incineration residues. Another challenge is the limited understanding of the properties of these residues and their effects on the properties of cement mortars. The study also identifies the need for further research on the use of these residues in cement mortars.

    Effects of Combined MSWI Flue Gas Treatment Residues, Fly Ash and Boiler Dust on the Properties of Cement Mortars · 2026 · DOI

  • The existing research on refractory materials has not fully explored the potential of utilizing coal ash as a raw material component. There is a need for studies investigating the properties and feasibility of refractory bricks produced with coal ash.

    Utilization of Coal Ash for Production of Refractory Bricks · 2025 · DOI

  • The need to develop composite binders with reduced cost and energy consumption.

    Investigation of the Possibility of Utilizing Man-Made Waste to Produce Composite Binders · 2025 · DOI

  • The gap identified by the paper is the lack of knowledge about the possible uses of marginal waste, including clay soils, by engineers and the lack of regulation of its use in civil construction. The high water absorption and porosity of marginal waste limit its use in the construction of new buildings.

    Recycling Clay Waste from Excavation, Demolition, and Construction: Trends and Challenges · 2024 · DOI

  • Finally, research priorities and underexplored areas are discussed to inspire and guide future investigations.

    Recycling technologies and applications of borosilicate glasses · 2026 · DOI

  • Wet mineral carbonation can couple stable CO 2 storage with valorization of fly ash (FA) and carbide slag (CS), but the influence of slurry composition on operational endpoint, carbonate distribution, and product performance remains uncertain.

    pH ‐resolved wet mineral carbonation of fly ash–carbide slag blends: CO 2 uptake, carbonate redistribution, and process–performance trade‐offs · 2026 · DOI

  • The mechanical performance of gypsum composites incorporating rubber waste from the vulcanization industry is not well understood. There is a need for a quantitative basis for further research on the incorporation of rubber waste into gypsum-based materials.

    Experimental Investigation of Gypsum Composites Incorporating Polymeric Rubber Waste from the Vulcanization Industry · 2026 · DOI

  • The findings offer a quantitative basis for further research on the incorporation of rubber waste into gypsum-based materials and for assessing their potential use in non-structural applications.

    Experimental Investigation of Gypsum Composites Incorporating Polymeric Rubber Waste from the Vulcanization Industry · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of understanding of the sintering and phase transformations of creosote-treated railroad ties. The need for effective waste disposal strategies to mitigate the risk of polluting resources and avoid public health concerns.

    Sintering, Phase Transformations, and Slagging-Fouling Tendencies of Creosote-Treated Railroad Ties · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of effective and sustainable methods for heavy metal removal from sewage sludge ash. The need for low-cost and energy-saving methods for sewage sludge ash treatment.

    Heavy Metal Removal from Sewage Sludge Ash with Physical Separation · 2026 · DOI

  • Further research can focus on the development of advanced materials from local clay. The study's findings can inform future research on the modification of clay for industrial applications.

    Characterization of Nanostructure Sedimentary Clay Material of Netrokona District · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need to characterize the nanostructure sedimentary clay material of Netrokona District. The study aims to address the gap in knowledge about the composition and structure of local clay.

    Characterization of Nanostructure Sedimentary Clay Material of Netrokona District · 2026 · DOI

  • The depletion of natural mineral resources and the accumulation of industrial wastes have created a need for alternative raw materials for ceramic technologies. The use of industrial wastes as raw materials for ceramic material synthesis is a relatively unexplored area.

    Industrial Wastes As Prospective Raw Materials For The Synthesis Of Ceramic Materials · 2026 · DOI

  • The need to develop materials with tunable properties. The challenge of achieving good chemical stability, antimicrobial activity, and low toxicity in the developed materials.

    Development of New Functional Dense and Porous Materials from Opal Glass Cullet Through Mild Alkali Activation · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need to evaluate the effects of different surface finishing techniques on the physical properties of ceramics. The study addresses this gap by examining the effects of polishing and glazing on lithium disilicate glass-ceramic and zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramics.

    Effects of different polishing and glazing systems on the physical properties of ceramics · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cement production. The use of supplementary cementitious materials like volcanic ash can help mitigate these emissions, but its potential is not yet fully explored.

    Volcanic Ash from Tajogaite Volcano (La Palma Island, Spain) as Pozzolanic Material in Lime and Cement Blends · 2026 · DOI

  • The scientific aspects responsible for crawling in ceramic glazes are not well understood. The effect of MgO on crawling and physical properties in ceramic glazes is not well studied.

    Effect of MgO on crawling and physical properties in ceramic glazes · 2026 · DOI

  • Certain sludge samples require modifications to optimize their properties for ceramic production, with the exception of sample TN1, which appears directly suitable. Enhancing characteristics requires incorporation of clay fractions with higher plasticity, such as smectite or fibrous clays.

    Transforming Environmental Waste into Valuable Resources: Characterization of Clayey Sludge from Aggregate Quarries for Sustainable Traditional Ceramics · 2026 · DOI

  • Investigating the long-term effects of using MSWI residues in cement mortars, - Evaluating the environmental safety of cementitious materials containing MSWI residues, - Studying the potential applications of MSWI residues in other construction…

    Effects of Combined MSWI Flue Gas Treatment Residues, Fly Ash and Boiler Dust on the Properties of Cement Mortars · 2026 · DOI

  • Investigating the effect of different coal ash concentrations, - Studying the long-term performance of refractory bricks, - Examining the impact of various firing temperatures…

    Utilization of Coal Ash for Production of Refractory Bricks · 2025 · DOI

  • The negative impacts of these dumps on the environment cannot be evaluated, - The presence of unwanted impurities in technogenic raw materials complicates their further…

    Investigation of the Possibility of Utilizing Man-Made Waste to Produce Composite Binders · 2025 · DOI

  • Exploring the use of additives, leaching, and co-utilization to improve the thermal conversion of creosote-treated railroad ties. Investigating the effects of different operating temperatures on the slagging and fouling potential of these ties.

    Sintering, Phase Transformations, and Slagging-Fouling Tendencies of Creosote-Treated Railroad Ties · 2026 · DOI

  • The environmental burden associated with the disposal of industrial wastes - The need for sustainable and cost-effective raw material sources for ceramic…

    Industrial Wastes As Prospective Raw Materials For The Synthesis Of Ceramic Materials · 2026 · DOI

  • The cytotoxicity test was performed only on human primary keratinocytes, HaCaT cells, - The study used a limited number of samples and testing conditions, - No long-term testing or evaluation of the materials' performance in real-world applications…

    Development of New Functional Dense and Porous Materials from Opal Glass Cullet Through Mild Alkali Activation · 2026 · DOI

  • Exploring the use of VA as a pozzolanic material in other applications. Investigating the effects of different grinding times and methods on the pozzolanic activity of VA.

    Volcanic Ash from Tajogaite Volcano (La Palma Island, Spain) as Pozzolanic Material in Lime and Cement Blends · 2026 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Recycling and utilization of industrial and municipal waste in materials production

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Open questions raised by papers listed on this page include: (1) The mechanical performance of gypsum composites incorporating rubber waste from the vulcanization industry is not well understood (“Experimental Investigation of Gypsum Composites Incorporating Polymeric Rubber…”, 2026); (2) The lack of understanding of the sintering and phase transformations of creosote-treated railroad ties (“Sintering, Phase Transformations, and Slagging-Fouling Tendencies of…”, 2026); (3) The lack of effective and sustainable methods for heavy metal removal from sewage sludge ash (“Heavy Metal Removal from Sewage Sludge Ash with Physical Separation”, 2026); (4) There is a need to characterize the nanostructure sedimentary clay material of Netrokona District (“Characterization of Nanostructure Sedimentary Clay Material of Netrokona…”, 2026); (5) There is a need to evaluate the effects of different surface finishing techniques on the physical properties of ceramics (“Effects of different polishing and glazing systems on the physical properties…”, 2026). 166 gap statements have been mined from Recycling and utilization of industrial and municipal waste in materials production papers in our 7.9M-paper local library, which holds 1,415 papers on the topic; the gaps come from whichever of those papers state one. They are mostly the research gaps the authors state and the papers' abstracts, plus future-work, limitations and challenges passages. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one, so you can read the original claim in context.

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