The production of sintered glass-ceramics and glass-ceramic matrix composite materials could be a promising way to re-evaluate the inert glass from the vitrification treatment of industrial sludges. A processing route for the production of sintered glass-ceramics (sinter-crystallization) was optimised in function of sintered density and microhardness. The obtained dense glass-ceramics exhibited high bending strength, much superior to those reported for tiles applications. Glass-ceramic matrix composites were obtained by adding powdered glass with Al2O3 platelets. Although the bending strength did not increase significantly with increasing alumina content, due to the incomplete densification of such composites, a promising enhancement of fracture toughness, relating to un-reinforced matrix, was found to be effective.