A comprehensive review on sugarcane bagasse ash for partial replacement of cement for sustainable development

The growing demand for Portland cement has intensified environmental concerns due to its high CO₂ emissions and energy-intensive production. Sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA), an abundant agro-industrial residue from sugar mill boilers, has emerged as a promising supplementary cementitious material owing to its high amorphous silica content, pozzolanic reactivity, and potential for waste valorisation. This review synthesizes current findings on the physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics of SBA; the influence of processing techniques such as controlled calcination, grinding, and acid treatment; and the resulting impacts on fresh, mechanical, and durability properties of concrete. Evidence across the literature indicates that optimally processed SBA, incorporated at 10–20% replacement of cement, enhances compressive strength, refines pore structure, and improves resistance to chloride ingress, water absorption, and sulphate and acid attacks. Microstructural analyses consistently show denser matrices and strengthened interfacial transition zones due to secondary C-S-H formation. The review also highlights life-cycle benefits including reduced embodied carbon, lower material costs, and decreased landfill burden. While variability in ash quality and standardisation challenges remain, the collective evidence positions SBA as a sustainable and technically viable material for producing durable, eco-efficient concrete.