Assessing the impact of plastic waste utilization on cement production cost in the context of sustainable development
Abstract
This study focuses on industrial cement activities in the context of plastic waste recycling technology implementation aimed at improving resource efficiency. The task addressed is to assess the economic and environmental feasibility of using plastic waste in cement production, taking into account its impact on industrial costs. The current state of plastic waste worldwide is examined country-to-country, based on global statistics for 2025. A comparative analysis of cement production dynamics and construction volumes has been conducted. The global development of the cement industry shows China to be the primary consumer, leading the way. Taking into account current production volumes and the growth of cement construction in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the total volume reached 14.4 million tons in 2025, with a design capacity of 16.5 million tons. Based on trends in construction, investment in construction, as well as related waste, a linear model has been built to forecast cement production growth for the period of 2026–2028. By using a calculation of the production structure of concrete with plastic, it was found that a 2% plastic application results in a 7.6% cost reduction; while a 4.1% use results in a 0.91% cost reduction. Importantly, using 2% plastic waste in the concrete structure is considered rational. This technology replaces crushed stone and provides additional protection during concrete formation. The results showed that the application of plastic waste in cement production impacts production costs and promotes the rational utilization of secondary resources