Focus on alkali-activated materials (AAMs) have increased in recent years due to its possibility to be a substitute for the ordinary Portland cement (OPC). However, the development of AAM that would be a viable substitute for OPC is still impeded due to several problems faced during its production, and properties of the resulting AAMs. Finding a substitute for OPC is imminent as a result of its contribution of about 7% to the world's human-induced carbon dioxide emission. The amount of emission is expected to increase in the coming years due to increase in development all over the world. Therefore, it is necessary to develop alternative green binder that would contribute less emission to the environment while conserving natural resources deposit.

This review explored the current problems hindering the universal acceptance and large-scale application of AAMs. It was concluded that with more research and development on userfriendly activators with low embodied energy and carbon, AAMs will be able to compete as a viable substitute for OPC.