Sustainable Utilization of Industrial Waste in Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer Systems

The global demand for cement significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and the unsustainable consumption of natural resources. Simultaneously, industrial waste poses disposal challenges and serious environmental and public health risks. This study addresses both issues by exploring the use of metakaolin-based geopolymers to incorporate 20% wt. of three types of industrial wastes: suction dust, red mud, and electro-filter dust. pH and conductivity measurements, along with FT-IR analysis, confirmed successful geo-polymerization. The leaching test revealed that only the geopolymer containing suction dust did not fully immobilize the waste. These analyses also provided insights into the compounds responsible for antibacterial properties, tested against E. coli and S. aureus. Finally, mechanical tests indicated their suitability for construction purposes, with compressive strength values ranging from 37–58 MPa, depending on the waste type.