Utilization of Eggshell Waste in Cementitious Materials
Summary
Eggshell waste represents a high-volume agro-industrial by-product rich in calcium carbonate that, when processed into fine powder, can serve as a supplementary cementitious material in concrete and mortar. Incorporation of eggshell powder into cementitious matrices reduces reliance on Portland clinker, thus mitigating carbon emissions and diverting waste from landfill. Mechanistically, fine eggshell particles act as nucleation sites for hydration products, accelerating early cement hydration and promoting the formation of calcium carboaluminate phases. At optimal replacement levels, typically between 5 and 20 per cent by mass, eggshell inclusion can enhance compressive strength, reduce permeability, and refine microstructure without compromising workability. Moreover, eggshell-based formulations contribute to a circular economy by valorising waste streams, lowering material costs and supporting sustainable construction practices. Recent studies emphasise the importance of precise particle size distribution, surface area and synergistic combinations with other supplementary materials to maximise performance benefits. This overview outlines the global significance of utilising eggshell waste as a low-carbon additive in cementitious materials, highlighting practical applications and pathways for industrial adoption.
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Utilization of Eggshell Waste in Cementitious Materials publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in utilization of eggshell waste in cementitious materials across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Supplementary cementitious material (SCM): A non-clinker additive that contributes to the properties of hardened concrete through hydraulic or pozzolanic activity.
Pozzolanic reaction: A chemical reaction in which silica- or alumina-rich materials react with calcium hydroxide to form cementitious compounds.
Hydration: The chemical process by which cement particles react with water to form binding phases, such as calcium silicate hydrate.
Nucleation site: A surface or particle that facilitates the initial formation of hydration products by reducing activation energy.
Monocarboaluminate: A calcium aluminium oxicarbide hydrate phase that forms when carbonate ions from eggshells incorporate into cement hydration products.
References
- Sustainable cement mortar production using rice husk and eggshell powder: a study of strength, electrical resistivity, and microstructure. Smart Construction and Sustainable Cities (2024).
- Effect of Eggshell Powder on the Hydration of Cement Paste. Materials (2019).
- Sustainable cement replacement using waste eggshells: A review on mechanical properties of eggshell concrete and strength prediction using artificial neural network. Case Studies in Construction Materials (2023).
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