Paper Titles
Integrating Vernacular Wisdom and Contemporary Performance in Mediterranean Residential Architecture: Santarém, Portugal Case Study
p.33
Influence of Air Temperature, Illuminance and Correlated Color Temperature on Thermal Perception
p.55
Assessing Outdoor Microclimate through On-Site Data and Simulation: The Case Study of Sistelo, Portugal
p.63
Extraction of Influencing Factors for Healing Environments in Maternal and Child-Friendly Primary Hospitals Based on Environmental Psychological Analysis
p.69
Potential of Waste Fibers from Abaca & Pineapple Leaf to Reduce Carbon Footprint in Concrete Formulation – a Case in the Philippines
p.77
Continuous Clay: Optimized Toolpaths for 3D-Printed Ceramic Structures Inspired by Weaving Patterns
p.85
Experimental Investigation of a C-Shaped Rammed Earth Sub-Assembly under Monotonic Lateral Loading
p.93
Sustainable Reduction of Soil Permeability through Microbial Bio-Clogging
p.99
Eco-House: Towards a Sustainable Future
p.107

Potential of Waste Fibers from Abaca & Pineapple Leaf to Reduce Carbon Footprint in Concrete Formulation – a Case in the Philippines

Article Preview

Abstract:

To support responsible production and consumption while building sustainable cities and communities, using local resources can help curb the ever-increasing carbon footprint of the construction and cement industries. This study provides baseline estimates of the availability of waste fibers from abaca and pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) production that could be tapped in implementing fiber-reinforced concrete designs. Additionally, this study offers a new perspective on how incorporating waste fibers into concrete mix design can lead to reduced cement usage and a potential reduction in carbon emissions. Approximately 50 kt/yr of waste fibers are generated and remain untapped. Given their availability, using waste fibers from abaca and PALF production in the Philippines could displace between 1 to 25 kg cement/m3 of concrete, potentially resulting in an annual emissions reduction of 20 to 30 kt CO2-eq.

You might also be interested in these eBooks
11th Int. Conf. on Architecture, Materials and Construction (ICAMC) & 6th Int. Conf. on Building Science, Technology and Sustainability (ICBSTS) View Preview

Info:

Periodical:

Advances in Science and Technology (Volume 173)

Pages:

77-83

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4028/p-Yf9IYZ

Citation:

Cite this paper

Online since:

February 2026

Authors:

Ma. Xilca M. Lofranco, Gemmarie M. Felisco, Hannah Faye S. Rafols, Janice B. Jamora, Joan Stephanie G. Elizalde, Alchris Woo Go*

Keywords:

Cement Displacement, Concrete, Emission Reduction, Resource Potential, Waste Fiber

Export:

RIS, BibTeX

Price:

Permissions CCC:

Request Permissions

Permissions PLS:

Request Permissions

Сopyright:

© 2026 Trans Tech Publications Ltd. All Rights Reserved

Share:

Citation:

* - Corresponding Author

References

[1] Global Cement and Concrete Association, Cement and concrete around the world, (2025). https://gccassociation.org/concretefuture/cement-concrete-around-the-world/ (accessed April 7, 2025).

Google Scholar

[2] R.M. Andrew, Global CO2 emissions from cement production, 1928–2018, Earth Syst Sci Data 11 (2019) 1675–1710.

DOI: 10.5194/essd-11-1675-2019

Google Scholar

[3] R.M. Andrew, G.P. Peters, The Global Carbon Project's fossil CO2 emissions dataset, 2024.

Google Scholar

[4] E. Benhelal, G. Zahedi, E. Shamsaei, A. Bahadori, Global strategies and potentials to curb CO2 emissions in cement industry, J Clean Prod 51 (2013) 142–161.

DOI: 10.1016/J.JCLEPRO.2012.10.049

Google Scholar

[5] S. Barbhuiya, F. Kanavaris, B.B. Das, M. Idrees, Decarbonising cement and concrete production: Strategies, challenges and pathways for sustainable development, Journal of Building Engineering 86 (2024) 108861.

DOI: 10.1016/J.JOBE.2024.108861

Google Scholar

[6] J.A. Abdalla, R.A. Hawileh, A. Bahurudeen, G. Jyothsna, A. Sofi, V. Shanmugam, B.S. Thomas, A comprehensive review on the use of natural fibers in cement/geopolymer concrete: A step towards sustainability, Case Studies in Construction Materials 19 (2023).

DOI: 10.1016/j.cscm.2023.e02244

Google Scholar

[7] A.W. Go, A.T. Conag, Utilizing sugarcane leaves/straws as source of bioenergy in the Philippines: A case in the Visayas Region, Renew Energy 132 (2019) 1230–1237.

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2018.09.029

Google Scholar

[8] A.W. Go, A.T. Conag, R.M.B. Igdon, A.S. Toledo, J.S. Malila, Potentials of agricultural and agro-industrial crop residues for the displacement of fossil fuels: A Philippine context, Energy Strategy Reviews 23 (2019) 100–113.

DOI: 10.1016/j.esr.2018.12.010

Google Scholar

[9] J.B. Jamora, S.E.L. Gudia, A.W. Go, M.B. Giduquio, M.E. Loretero, Potential CO2 reduction and cost evaluation in use and transport of coal ash as cement replacement: A case in the Philippines, Waste Management 103 (2020) 137–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman. 2019.12.026.

DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2019.12.026

Google Scholar

[10] J.B. Jamora, A.W. Go, S.E.L. Gudia, M.B. Giduquio, M.E. Loretero, Evaluating the use of rice residue ash in cement-based industries in the Philippines – Greenhouse gas reduction, transportation, and cost assessment, J Clean Prod 398 (2023).

DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.136623

Google Scholar

[11] J.B. Jamora, S.E.L. Gudia, A.W. Go, M.B. Giduquio, J.W.A. Orilla, M.E. Loretero, Potential reduction of greenhouse gas emission through the use of sugarcane ash in cement-based industries: A case in the Philippines, J Clean Prod 239 (2019).

DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118072

Google Scholar

[12] Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority, Fiber Statistics, (2024). https://philfida.da.gov.ph/fiber-statistics-2024/ (accessed April 5, 2025).

Google Scholar

[13] Philippine Statistics Authority, Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, PSA Statistical Database (2025). https://openstat.psa.gov.ph/Database/Agriculture-Forestry-Fisheries (accessed April 9, 2025).

Google Scholar

[14] W.D. (Rik) Brouwer, Natural Fibre Composites in Structural Components: Alternative Applications for Sisal?, (n.d.). https://www.fao.org/4/Y1873E/y1873e0a.htm (accessed April 10, 2025).

Google Scholar

[15] R.M.N. Arib, S.M. Sapuan, M.M.H.M. Ahmad, M.T. Paridah, H.M.D. Khairul Zaman, Mechanical properties of pineapple leaf fibre reinforced polypropylene composites, Mater Des 27 (2006) 391–396.

DOI: 10.1016/J.MATDES.2004.11.009

Google Scholar

[16] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Countries by Commodity, FAOSTAT (2025). https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#rankings/countries_by_commodity (accessed April 10, 2025).

Google Scholar

[17] C. V. Cortez, A.J. Alcantara, E.P. Pacardo, C.M. Rebancos, Life Cycle Assessment of Manila Hemp in Catanduanes, Philippines, Journal of Environmental Science and Management 18 (2015) 53–61.

DOI: 10.47125/JESAM/2015_2/06

Google Scholar

[18] E.L. Mari, C.O. Austria, A.S. Torres, E.P. Domingo, Residual Grade and Waste Abaca Fibers as Reinforcement for Packaging and Printing/Writing Papers from Recycled Fiber, Philipp J Sci 148 (2019) 349–358.

Google Scholar

[19] R.A.J. Malenab, J.P.S. Ngo, M.A.B. Promentilla, Chemical Treatment of Waste Abaca for Natural Fiber-Reinforced Geopolymer Composite, Materials 10 (2017) 579.

DOI: 10.3390/MA10060579

Google Scholar

[20] R. Karolina, W. Tandika, A. Hasibuan, M.A. Putra, D. Fahreza, Pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) waste as an alternative fiber in making concrete, J Phys Conf Ser 2193 (2022) 012061.

DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/2193/1/012061

Google Scholar

[21] S.K. Che Osmi, M.A. Zaınuddın, N.A. Misnon, S. Sojipto, H. Husen, Effect of Pineapple Leaf Fibre as Additional Material in Concrete Mixture, Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering 215 (2022) 525–537.

DOI: 10.1007/978-981-16-7924-7_34

Google Scholar