Evaluating the Environmental Impact of Bio brick and Natural Beton: A Comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment from Cradle to Gate

Abstract

This study employs a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with the production of biobrick and Natural Beton (N.B.), innovative building materials made from lime and hemp. Adhering to the ISO 14040 and 14044 standards, the research focuses on the 'cradle to gate' stages, incorporating both primary data from the production processes and secondary data for raw materials and transportation impacts.The assessment, executed using the SimaPro software and the ReCiPe Midpoint method, establishes a functional unit of one kilogram of each product at the factory gate. The study identifies significant energy reductions in the 'cold' manufacturing processes used for both materials compared to conventional methods. Study analyses that transportation, particularly of lime, significantly influences the total environmental footprint. Scenarios utilizing local sourcing for lime reduced transport-related emissions by over 90%, emphasizing the benefits of local material procurement strategies.The LCA also shows the potential for nearly zero waste in production, with effective reuse of production offcuts and minimal packaging waste. The results advocate for policy shifts towards sustainable manufacturing practices and local sourcing within the building materials industry.