Cordierite and mullite-cordierite based geopolymer binders were prepared as refractory bonds to embed coarse kyanite aggregates. Alkali activation was used to consolidate the refractory at room temperature and generate a reactive interface between the matrix and the aggregates. The flexural strength at room temperature of consolidated materials was 11 MPa without kyanite addition, whilst it reached 28 MPa when kyanite was added. The latter showed thermal expansion near to zero up to 500 degrees C, followed by an expansion of similar to 0.5% up to 1000 degrees C, then a decrease between 1000 and 1050 degrees C, concluding with a constant value of expansion <0.5% up to 1250 degrees C. The increase in expansion was found to be linked to the transformation of the geopolymer into ceramic bond with the formation of crystalline phases, while the decrease was apparently related to the liquid phase sintering. The stability of mullite, cordierite and leucite formed up to 1250 degrees C was responsible for the constant expansion observed up to this temperature. The mechanical properties, the phase evolution and the thermal behavior of the K2O -MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 bonds, together with the refractory behavior of kyanite aggregates, were found suitable for the design of sustainable cold-setting refractory composites. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.