Abstract
External thermal insulation systems (ETICS) are relevant facade applications of functional components allowing to reduce energy consumption in buildings to fulfill the provisions of nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEBs). ETICS systems generally are made of adhesives, thermal insulation material, renders with mesh reinforcement, primers, and finish coats. Their main parameters are thermal characteristics and durability, both determined by the specific composition of the systems. Growing concerns on the environment and depletion of natural resources drive the need for the determination of the environmental characteristic of ETICS due to its growing market demand. This analysis focuses on a life cycle assessment (LCA) of a commonly used EPS based ETICS system with four different renderings, produced in several locations. The scope of this study concerns raw materials extraction, transport, production, and energy provision up to the finished, packed, and ready-for-sale product at the factory gate. The authors compared the environmental impact allocated to the 1 m2 of the produced system by taking into account the thickness of EPS and within different environmental impact categories. The results of the current impacts were compared to those obtained five years earlier, considering the technological and environmental progress of the production process.
Highlights
IntroductionLimited natural resources and progressing degradation of the natural environment have been subjects of interest since the late sixties of the 20th century [1,2]
Based on the results provided in this article, the authors showed that considering the A1–A3 product stage of the ETICS system, the most significant influence on total environmental impact in all the investigated categories was the extraction of raw materials followed by the production of intermediates used to produce each ETICS system component
In this article, we showed that the main influences of ETICS systems on the environment were neither the production process of system components, nor the internal transport at the manufacturing site, but the choice of raw materials used to produce system components, and suitable system components themselves
Summary
Limited natural resources and progressing degradation of the natural environment have been subjects of interest since the late sixties of the 20th century [1,2]. The idea of sustainable development had the most crucial role in shaping the way of thinking about future interrelationships between society, economy, and natural resources. The primary assumption of that concept was that at the current civilization state, progress and development can be achieved sustainably, in a way that will ensure equal access to natural resources for future generations. Progressive environmental degradation and excessive consumption of natural resources have forced policymakers to find a solution for further, effective development with simultaneous care of the environment, especially in the construction sector [3].
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