Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of gypsum plasterboard and a new kind of bio-based epoxy composite containing different natural fibers

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production Vol. 185; pp. 408 - 420
• Main Authors: Quintana, A., Alba, J., del Rey, R., Guillén-Guillamón, I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-06-2018
• Subjects: Building materials; Composites; Epoxy resin; Gypsum plasterboard; Life Cycle Assessment; Natural fibers; Epoxy resin; Composites; Building materials; Natural fibers; Life Cycle Assessment; Gypsum plasterboard
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.03.042

A comparative LCA from cradle to grave between traditional plasterboard, for drywall applications, and different composite boards, made by natural fiber and a bio-based epoxy resin (Supersap CLR), was carried out. The goal of the study was to determine whether the composites based on such a resin combined with natural fibers could be an eco-friendly alternative to plasterboard in the building sector. Moreover, the impacts related to each of the fibers used are also assessed separately from cradle to gate in order to get a better understanding of its influence. Both the results obtained through the IPC.GWP 100a method and the recipe endpoint show a remarkable difference between the plasterboard and all the different composites, the composites offering a 50% reduction in the CO2 emissions. The calculations performed regarding the impacts related to the different fibers showed only small differences between them.