Upcycling Arundo donax Biomass: A Systematic Review of Applications, Materials, and Environmental Benefits for Greener Construction

Abstract

This study presents a systematic literature review on the reuse of Arundo donax as a secondary renewable raw material for sustainable construction. Originally classified as a dangerously invasive species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Arundo donax has recently gained recognition as a non-conventional promising biomass resource, particularly in the context of green innovation and circular economy strategies in light of the European Green Deal and the New European Bauhaus initiatives. This review combines bibliometric mapping and full-text analysis, leading to the selection of 20 peer-reviewed studies, thematically clustered into two main application areas: the development of panels and composites with improved mechanical, thermal, and acoustic performance; and the use of this species in geotechnical or low-tech solutions, such as earth construction and erosion control. While most contributions are recent and technically oriented, this review highlights several critical gaps, such as the lack of standardized testing protocols, the limited number of environmental assessments, and the absence of long-term performance evaluations. Despite these limitations, the considered biomass shows significant potential to support regenerative design strategies for the built environment. Future research should prioritize comparative LCA studies, industrial scalability, and the formulation of guidelines to integrate Arundo donax-based materials into sustainable construction practices.