| Abstract Scope |
Successful upcycling of industrial residues requires integrated valorization strategies. This presentation discusses case studies on metallurgical slags, mine tailings, and Waste-to-Energy residues to outline a materials processing roadmap, supported by experimental data and techno-economic/environmental assessments, for informed decision-making. Priority is given to recovering critical metals through extraction and separation processes. However, this often leaves a massive volume of waste. Acid-based leaching alters industrial residue properties, potentially decreasing performance and market value in construction. When metal recovery is limited, residues can be directly used in construction materials, first as supplementary cementitious materials (SCM), then as aggregates and for other civil applications. Although construction applications can consume higher volumes of industrial residues and lower resource demand, this end use may forfeit metal value. Therefore, selective metal extraction that preserves SCM reactivity or mechanical integrity is key, allowing the remaining by-products to be effectively used in construction and maximizing overall waste valorization. |