Carbon footprint of semi-precast concrete elements from the perspective of a quality association
Since the adoption of the Federal Climate Change Act in 2019, with stipulating climate neutrality in Germany by 2045, the requirements have also increased on producers of semi-precast concrete elements. So as to provide architects and planners with a sound basis for planning and assessing buildings holistically and allowing for the certification of buildings, the producers are requested to describe environmental impacts of their products along the entire life cycle. One instrument for this purpose, already established for some years now, is the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), which manufacturers of building materials can use to communicate the impacts of products on the environment. These are based on internationally recognized standards and are verified by independent third parties to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data provided. EDPs are increasingly required in the construction industry and are presupposed more frequently, for example, in the context of public tenders, because they are an important basis for information as far as sustainability certifications of buildings are concerned.
To comply with this requirement, but even more to be able to provide a detailed quantification and analysis of the environmental impacts of the products semi-precast floor slab and double wall, the Syspro group had the production data of all 17 production sites of its 15 members recorded. It is not a surprise that the cement is revealed to have the most significant influence on the GWP (global warming potential). But the influence of the reinforcement steel should not be underestimated too. The results can be used in order to optimize the respective concrete mix designs and the production processes in the sense of SysproGreen, thus making the products more and more sustainable.
The figures published by the Syspro Group in respect of the environmental impacts of their products are now and then considerably below so far known and/or made assumptions for comparable semi-precast concrete elements. However, it is necessary to classify these environmental impacts in the overall context of a life cycle assessment (construction phase and utilization phase).
