Editorial: Supplementary Cementitious Materials: Recent Developments, Performance Insights and Potential Applicability

Afzal Husain Khan^1*Ali Firoozi²Pervez Alam³Ibrahim Saad Agwa⁴Cut Rahmawati⁵Mohd Abul Hasan⁶

• ¹Civil and Architectural Engineering Department, College of Computer Science and Information Technology, Jazan University, Jazan, Jizan, Saudi Arabia
• ²Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Technology, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana, Department of Mining and Geological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Private Bag 16, Palapye, Botswana
• ³Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajauri, Jammu and Kashmir, India
• ⁴Department of Civil and Architectural Constructions, Faculty of Technology and Education, Suez University, Suez, Suez, Egypt
• ⁵Department of Civil Engineering, Universitas Abulyatama, Banda Aceh, Special Region of Aceh, Indonesia
• ⁶Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia

The construction industry must develop and adapt quickly to meet the demands of sustainability and the environment because it uses a lot of raw materials and is an important driver of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. In view of its dual function in improving concrete's mechanical characteristics and tackling important environmental issues, supplemental cementitious materials (SCMs) such fly ash, slag, and silica fume have grown in importance in this context. The conventional cement manufacturing method uses a lot of natural resources and produces a lot of carbon emissions; however, these ingredients, which are usually leftovers from other industrial operations, provide an effective alternative.The workability, hydration heat, and long-term strength and durability of concrete are all improved by SCMs. By enhancing the matrix's total density and filling in the microstructure, studies demonstrate that fly ash added to concrete increases its compressive strength and durability [ (Luan et al. 2023) 1]. For instance, the hydraulic properties of an iron production byproduct "slag", have been the subject of substantial research. These properties enable slag to react with water, aiding in the hydration process and ultimately producing denser and more lasting concrete [2] (Fu et al. 2023). Additional beneficial SCMs include silica fume, which improves the mechanical characteristics and durability of concrete by decreasing porosity and strengthening the link between aggregates and cement paste [3] (Saradar et al. 2024).This special issue focuses on highlighting the innovative applications and cutting-edge research surrounding SCMs. By showcasing studies that explore the utilization of these materials in various concrete applications, this issue aims to illustrate the broad potential and significant impact of SCMs on modern construction practices. The contributions within this special issue reflect ongoing advancements in the field and underscore the growing importance of sustainable material solutions in construction, emphasizing their role in not just meeting but exceeding the performance expectations of traditional construction materials. This special issue aims to offer a forum for knowledge exchange and discussion regarding the remarkable impact of SCMs in the construction sector through in-depth research and case studies. Its goal is to facilitate additional research and wider use of these materials, encouraging a global transition to more resilient and sustainable building solutions.The current direction of the building industry is defined by the necessity of balancing the competing objectives of structural integrity and environmental sustainability. Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) have the potential to be revolutionary in this environment. SCMs do more than only improve the physical qualities of concrete; they also reduce the overall carbon footprint of construction projects and repurpose industrial byproducts, keeping them out of landfills and promoting sustainable development. The knowledge gained from this special issue highlights the variety and depth of SCM applications, proving that they can satisfy strict structural and environmental guidelines.In the future, incorporating SCMs into hybrid composites offers a substantial opportunity for expansion. These composites can meet environmental regulations while achieving previously unheard-of performance metrics because they blend SCMs with both conventional and innovative materials. The field of research in this area is growing, with an emphasis on maximizing the synergistic benefits of different material combinations to improve concrete's mechanical qualities, durability, and permeability [4] (Ocelić et al. 2023). A paradigm change in resource utilization is also represented by the employment of SCMs in the framework of a circular economy, where the objective is to regenerate value in addition to reusing materials. This strategy pushes the boundaries of what is technically and financially possible in construction methods, which is in line with global sustainability goals.But there are issues in the way of SCMs' future. Even though the advantages of SCMs for sustainability and performance improvement are widely known, problems including quality variation, supply availability, and the technical difficulties of incorporating them into fresh concrete compositions continue to be issues [5] (Barbhuiya et al. 2024). It will take a concentrated effort in research, standardization, and innovation to overcome these challenges. To guarantee that the solutions created are efficient, scalable, and financially viable, a multidisciplinary strategy comprising cooperation between material scientists, engineers, legislators, and industry stakeholders is required.The development of building materials will be significantly influenced by the ongoing innovation and research in SCM technology. The trend indicates that materials will become more intelligent, sustainable, and highly adaptive to the changing needs of the global environment. As we confront the growing issues of urbanization, climate change, and the requirement for long-lasting infrastructure, this advancement is crucial. As a result, the continuous investigation of SCMs is not just a technological undertaking but also a vital one in the pursuit of sustainable built environment development.A total of five articles were published under this Research Topic, which is summarized briefly in this editorial.The first manuscript submitted to this research topic, titled "Concrete Matrix Based on Marble Powder, Waste Glass Sludge, and Crumb Rubber: Pathways towards sustainable concrete" was published by Akbar et al. 2024. This study explores the development of sustainable concrete by integrating marble powder, waste glass sludge, and crumb rubber, aiming to reduce environmental impact while maintaining structural integrity. Shahzad et al. 2024 examines the varying print speeds and nozzle diameters affect fiber alignment in 3D printed ultra-high-performance concrete, providing insights to optimize mechanical properties through controlled printing parameters. Wang et al. 2024 presented the bibliometric study that maps out the research trends and emerging hotspots in the field of polymer cement mortar, offering valuable insights into its development and future directions. Özkılıç et al. 2025 investigated the incorporation of waste ceramic powder as a supplementary cementitious material in concrete, aiming to enhance sustainability by reducing reliance on traditional cement and promoting waste utilization. Zuo et al. 2024 investigated the varying lengths of polypropylene fibers and the geometric shapes of samples affect the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of cemented lepidolite tailings backfill (CLTB). The findings reveal that a fiber length of 12 mm yields the highest UCS, with an improvement of up to 83.7% compared to non-fiber-reinforced samples. These insights offer practical guidance for optimizing fiber-reinforced backfill materials in mining and construction applications.It is clear from this special issue on "Supplementary Cementitious Materials: Recent Developments, Performance Insights, and Potential Applicability" that SCMs have the ability to revolutionize the building materials industry. The papers in this collection not only offer a thorough explanation of the various uses of SCMs, but also highlight the importance to the global advancement of sustainable building strategies. The breadth of research demonstrated demonstrates whether SCM technology is dynamic and ever-evolving, demonstrating its capacity to address urgent environmental issues and improve the structural soundness of concrete facilities. By promoting their incorporation into standard procedures as a crucial first step in creating robust and ecologically sustainable infrastructures, the creative application of SCMs sets a new course for the construction sector. The ideas presented in this issue are expected to serve as an inspiration for further study and wider use of SCMs, pushing the frontiers of innovation in this important field. As we develop, the international research community's combined efforts are crucial to meeting the complex guidelines of modern construction, making great strides toward sustainability, and improving the efficiency of construction methods. This special issue lays out a roadmap for next investigations and developments in the field, marking a significant turning point in this continuous journey.