The recycling of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) bottom ash as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) has attracted global attention, driven by the increasing availability of this by-product and the demand for sustainable SCMs to lower CO₂ emissions from cement production. Currently, the widespread use of MSWI bottom ash in the cement industry is hindered by the lack of guidelines to regulate material composition, optimize pretreatment processes, and specify mix design requirements. This review compiles and analyzes literature data on mix design, microstructural evolution, fresh properties, mechanical properties, durability, leaching risks, and environmental impacts of MSWI bottom ash-blended cement pastes, mortars, and concretes. The analysis aims to assess the influence of the pretreatment and physicochemical properties of bottom ash¹ on the microstructure and performance of blended cementitious materials.² The Ash Impact Strength Index (AISI) is introduced to quantify the effects of various factors on compressive strength, enabling direct comparison across different studies. Based on the statistical analysis of the 28-day AISI, the key quality requirements for MSWI bottom ash as an SCM are proposed, along with the optimal mix design. This work provides valuable insights and practical guidance to support the integration of bottom ash into the cement industry.

Two synthesis pathways (one- and two-part) in alkali-activated binders were compared using ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), mineral wool (MW) activated using dry and liquid alkali activators with similar Na₂O/SiO₂ modulus. The effect of activator type on reaction kinetics, strength development, setting times, and durability shows that one-part synthesis does not only improve early strength, but also provide better durability properties. While the highest compressive strength (56 MPa, 90 days) was achieved for the one-part mix (DM), the reaction products (presence of Mg–Al layered double hydroxide and C–S–H-like phases) observed for both mortar mixes were similar. The DM mortars showed better resistance to sulfate attack than two-part mix (WM) mortars and sets faster. The results highlight the significance of the one-part pathways in the synthesis of alkali-activated materials.