Abstract: Low embodied energy wallboards and methods for forming same are disclosed. A wallboard can include at least one industrial material in an amorphous phase and at least one alkali-activating agent. The amorphous phase industrial material can be slag, fly ash, silica fume, and/or lime kiln dust. The alkali-activating agent can be calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, sodium silicate, calcium silicate, magnesium silicate and/or calcium aluminate. Additional wallboard components can include water, a foam filler, paper, industrial material in a crystalline phase, and/or polyethylene fibers, polypropylene fibers, and/or other synthetic fibers.