The construction industry is one of the largest consumers of natural resources worldwide and simultaneously one of the greatest producers of waste. The growing demand for infrastructure and urban development continues to accelerate the depletion of critical raw materials such as sand, gravel, and limestone, while generating enormous volumes of construction and demolition waste (C&DW). Among these waste streams, demolished concrete constitutes the majority, which traditionally ends up in landfills or low-grade applications such as road base. This linear approach is increasingly unsustainable, both environmentally and economically. The urgent need to reduce resource extraction, lower carbon emissions, and minimize waste has placed renewed attention on the utilization of demolished concrete waste as a sustainable material for future construction. Additionally, this will contribute significantly to the postwar reconstruction such as in Ukraine.

Recent advances in recycling technologies and materials science have revealed the substantial potential of demolished concrete to be reintegrated into the construction cycle. When properly processed, demolished concrete can be converted into recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) that substitute natural aggregates in new concrete production. This not only reduces the pressure on limited natural resources but also significantly decreases the environmental footprint associated with quarrying, transport, and waste disposal. Furthermore, innovative treatment methods - including thermal, mechanical, chemical, and hybrid processes - are enhancing the quality of RCA, making it increasingly suitable for structural applications.

Beyond conventional recycling, demolished concrete waste is also being explored for a range of sustainable material applications. These include its use as a base material for geopolymers, as a component in alkali-activated binders, and as filler in novel composites for infrastructure and architectural applications. In parallel, life cycle assessment (LCA) studies and carbon footprint analyses are helping to quantify the environmental benefits of these practices, demonstrating that recycled materials can play a central role in lowering embodied carbon in buildings. Such findings align closely with the targets of global climate action and sustainability frameworks.

By shifting from a linear model of single-use consumption to a circular approach, the construction sector can transform waste into valuable secondary resources. This transition supports material efficiency, reduces the use of virgin resources, and fosters resilience in the face of environmental and economic challenges. For postwar reconstruction, the destroyed concrete structures can be reused on site for new construction, thereby reducing the economic and environmental costs of reconstruction. Policymakers and industry stakeholders are increasingly recognizing this potential, leading to the development of standards, guidelines, and incentives that promote large-scale adoption of recycled materials.

This special issue aims to capture these multifaceted advances and provide a platform for knowledge exchange on the utilization of demolished concrete waste as sustainable materials. We invite contributions ranging from experimental research on material properties and structural performance, to technological innovations in recycling and treatment, to policy and case studies demonstrating practical implementation. By bringing together perspectives from academia, industry, and regulatory bodies, this issue seeks to highlight pathways toward truly sustainable construction practices.

Topics covered include, but are not limited to:

• Novel methods for processing and quality enhancement of recycled concrete aggregates
• Mechanical, durability, and microstructural performance of concrete incorporating recycled materials
• Life cycle assessment, carbon footprint analysis, and environmental benefits of recycling strategies
• Advances in admixtures, binders, and treatment technologies that improve compatibility of recycled aggregates within fresh concrete
• Structural applications, performance under extreme loading, and long-term serviceability of recycled concrete
• Policies, standards, and circular economy models promoting large-scale utilization of recycled concrete

Guest Editors

Dr. Zhidong Zhang

Research Scientist, Institute for Building Materials, ETH Zurich, Switzerland

Website: https://ifb.ethz.ch/durability/people/senior-scientists-postdocs/zhidong-zhang.html

Dr. Doo-Yeol Yoo

Professor, Department of Architecture and Architectural Engineering, Yonsei University, Korea

Website: https://yonsei.elsevierpure.com/en/persons/doo-yeol-yoo/

Dr. Viacheslav Troian

Professor, Department of Technology of Building Structures and Products, Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture, Kyiv, Ukraine; visiting professor, Institute for Building Materials, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

Website: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Vyacheslav-Troyan

Submissions and Publication:

1. Acceptable paper types: Original Research Report/Communication/Review/Progress Report.
2. Please prepare your manuscript using the Manuscript Template, and see the full Submission Guidelines for further details.
3. Please submit your manuscript via the ScholarOne Manuscripts system before Apr. 25, 2026, and please select “Utilization of Demolished Concrete Waste as Sustainable Materials”.
4. Once a themed issue paper is accepted, it will be quickly released online on the SciOpen platform, without waiting for other papers of this issue.

Open Access Sponsorship

As a fully open-access journal, MRSE will provide maximum exposure for published articles, making the research available to all to read and share. In addition, MRSE will waive the Article Processing Charge (APC) for the invited contributions.

Contact

Dr. Zhidong Zhang, zhangzhi@ethz.ch

Prof. Doo-Yeol Yoo, dyyoo@yonsei.ac.kr

Prof. Viacheslav Troian, s_troy@ukr.net

Editorial Office of Materials Reports: Solidwaste and Ecomaterials, mrse@mater-rep.com