Lightweight Composite Panels as Alternative Building Materials: A Qualitative Systematic Literature Review of Sustainability, Performance, and Construction Applications

Abstract

The construction industry continues to face increasing pressure to adopt sustainable building materials that reduce environmental impacts while maintaining functional and structural performance. Lightweight composite panels have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional construction materials due to their potential to utilize recycled, renewable, and waste-derived resources while improving energy efficiency and building performance. This study aimed to systematically review the literature on lightweight composite panels as alternative building materials, with particular emphasis on their sustainability, performance characteristics, construction applications, and adoption challenges.
A qualitative systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA 2020) framework. Relevant studies were identified through a structured database search, screened using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal framework. Following the quality assessment and eligibility screening process, 17 high-quality studies published between 2021 and 2025 were included in the final synthesis.
The findings revealed that lightweight composite panels incorporating recycled polymers, wood waste, natural fibers, bio-based materials, geopolymers, and agricultural residues provide significant sustainability benefits through waste reduction, resource conservation, and support for circular economy practices. The reviewed studies consistently reported favorable thermal insulation, acoustic performance, energy efficiency, and acceptable structural functionality across various construction applications, including structural insulated panels, geopolymer foams, timber-composite systems, and natural-fiber insulation materials. However, several barriers to adoption were identified, including durability concerns, moisture susceptibility, fire resistance limitations, manufacturing variability, production costs, limited large-scale implementation, insufficient standardization, and regulatory uncertainties.
Overall, the evidence suggests that lightweight composite panels represent a viable and sustainable alternative to conventional building materials. Continued advancements in material engineering, recycling technologies, standardization, and interdisciplinary collaboration are expected to enhance their performance, scalability, and industry acceptance. Future research should focus on long-term field validation, lifecycle assessments, and large-scale implementation to support broader adoption in sustainable construction.