VALORIZATION OF WASTE FOUNDRY SAND (WFS) BASED ON THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY CONCEPT
Abstract
The foundry industry plays a fundamental role in global manufacturing, being indispensable for various production sectors. However, this activity is responsible for the generation of large volumes of solid waste, with Waste Foundry Sand (WFS) standing out as the sector's most voluminous environmental liability. Currently, conventional disposal, which is centralized in industrial and sanitary landfills, not only represents a logistical and economic challenge but also generates significant ecological risks. In light of this scenario, this study aims to investigate WFS valorization strategies, grounded in Circular Economy (CE) principles, to promote the transition of the material from "waste" to an "added-value byproduct." The adopted methodology consisted of an Integrative Literature Review (ILR), which allowed for synthesizing current knowledge and identifying gaps regarding the technical feasibility of reuse. The results indicated that WFS has high potential for industrial symbiosis, with an emphasis on its application in civil construction. It was evidenced that replacing natural fine aggregates with WFS in proportions of up to 30% ensures the maintenance of mechanical properties and durability, meeting normative requirements for various purposes. It is concluded that the reintegration of this material into the production chain goes beyond simple environmental impact mitigation; it consolidates corporate sustainability and reduces costs associated with the extraction of virgin raw materials, closing the material's technical cycle and aligning the sector with global sustainable development goals.
Author Biographies
Master's degree in Technology from the School of Technology of the University of Campinas (UNICAMP-FT), Limeira, São Paulo, Brazil, with a concentration in Materials. Holds a Bachelor's degree in Control and Automation Engineering from the Methodist University of Piracicaba (UNIMEP). Specialist in Occupational Safety Engineering from the School of Technology of Piracicaba (FATEP). Currently serves as a Professor of Basic, Technical, and Technological Education (EBTT) at the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of São Paulo (IFSP), Piracicaba Campus.
Postdoctoral researcher at the University of Coimbra, Portugal (2015–2016). Holds a Ph.D. and a Master's degree in Civil Engineering from the School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Urban Design of the University of Campinas (FECFAU/UNICAMP). Permanent researcher in the Graduate Programs in Civil Engineering and Technology at UNICAMP. Coordinator of the MATS Research Group – Sustainable Materials and Technologies. Visiting Researcher at Cardiff University (May 2025). Habilitated (Livre-Docente) by the School of Technology of the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in 2020.
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