Assessing the sustainability of traditional building materials incorporating industrial by-products using LCA

The sustainable character of traditional building materials (lime, pozzolan) is usually considered self-evident due to their local character and proved durability. However, since there is a growing interest for validation of sustainability claims (through market tools such as EPDs), the comprehensive quantification of the sustainable character of a product is a priority for the construction sector, especially for products that combine traditional materials with alternative additions (such as industrial by-products). In this study, lime-based binding systems that incorporate industrial by-products of perlite production, are being assessed in terms of their sustainability potential. More specifically, the environmental aspect is considered and calculated by following the methodology of Life Cycle Assessment. To depict as accurately as possible the local conditions of production and application, an effort was made for data to be obtained mainly from Greek construction industry and from either experimental or on-site applications from the Laboratory of Building Materials of AUTH. Results are really promising regarding the environmental profile of combined systems, rendering them a viable and efficient solution for sustainable construction design.