Assessment of the potential industrial applications of calcium carbonate derived from mineral carbonation of alkaline waste material

Abstract Mineral carbonation (MC) using alkaline waste material has become an effective CO 2 mitigation method to reduce the dire effects of global warming. Process developments for carbon mitigation systems indicate MC may be promising; however, the utilization of carbonated products requires attention. Previously, CaCO 3 generated from MC has been suitable as additive in commercial precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC). Hence, the current review focuses on the potential to utilize calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) from MC by determining the characteristics suitable for enhancing the properties of paper (printing, writing, and paperboard), plastic (polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), cement, and concrete materials based on the desired properties of commercial PCC. It was found that replacing CaCO 3 of a purity > 99% and refractive index (i.e., 1.48 − 1.7) in wood fiber and pulp improves the opacity of paper materials to enhance their whiteness and brightness up to 99%, with particle sizes of < 2 μm required to improve paper strength. The brightness and strength of plastic materials are improved using PCC with > 99% purity and particle size 0.02 – 0.1 μm, respectively. For cement and concrete cases, PCC particles ranging between 0.1 – 7.45 μm are normally suitable for improving the strength and workability. Comprehensive characterization of CaCO 3 from MC is necessary, and products can be tailored to match certain properties of commercialized PCC based on its proven benefits. High-purity CaCO 3 from MC can secure economic leverage through CO 2 sequestration cost reduction while also promoting resource circulation for environmental benefits.