Environmental impact of wall multilayer coating systems containing aerogel-based fibre-enhanced thermal renders

Abstract

This research evaluates the environmental impacts of aerogel-based fibre-enhanced thermal insulating renders and the respective multi-layered coating system to apply on buildings' envelopes, contributing to their energy efficiency. The environmental analysis was performed using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology with a cradle to gate approach, including the Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) of the protective coating system while evaluating the Abiotic Depletion Potential from fossil fuels (ADP-ff) and the Global Warming Potential (GWP). A sensitivity analysis of the silica aerogel aggregate contribution to the overall environmental impacts was also carried out, and a study of the impact that the introduction of natural and synthetic fibres had on the thermal render’ formulation. The results showed that the most critical environmental contribution is related to the raw materials incorporated in the thermal render representing more than 90% of the total environmental impact when a cradle to gate analysis is made. It was also verified that even a small powder substitution by natural and synthetic fibres (0.10–0.50% of the total powder volume) could have significant impacts on the environmental performance of the aerogel-based thermal render. This research also showed that these thermal renders, although at a developing stage, show a promising application potential from the environmental point of view and that further optimisation steps can lead to even lower impacts.