Parameterized environmental impacts of ready-mixed concrete in Spain

Abstract

[EN] This study includes the assessment of all possible combinations of ready-mix concrete encompassed in a reference construction database of building materials for Valencia (Spain). All concrete components are considered in the calculation: cement, water, aggregates, and admixtures. The life cycle assessment methodology was used to calculate the environmental impacts of each material, including the modules A1-A3, i.e. production of raw materials, transport, and manufacturing, and impact categories in accordance with EN 15804:2012¿+¿A2:2019. This study shows that cement is the concrete component with the greatest overall impact on the environment. Furthermore, the impact for the Global Warming Potential (stages A1-A3) can double depending on the type of cement; with CEM I and CEM II types having the highest impact. The regressions obtained for each impact category allow to predict the environmental impacts of every ready-mix concrete and also to analyze the relative importance of each concrete component in each impact category.