การประเมินคาร์บอนฟุตพริ้นท์ของผลิตภัณฑ์ : คอนกรีตบล็อก มอก.58-2560

Abstract

The global construction industry significantly contributes to approximately 11% of annual Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. In Thailand, concrete blocks are widely preferred for wall construction due to their affordability, lightweight nature, robust load-bearing capacity, and user-friendly characteristics. Recognizing the environmental impact of concrete blocks necessitates evaluating their carbon footprint. This study focuses on assessing the carbon footprint of concrete blocks, specifically TIS 58-2560, within a one-ton functional unit, using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework. The investigation spans stages from raw material acquisition to factory production completion. The case study centers on the concrete block production of the 302 Engineer Battalion in Phitsanulok Province. The monitoring period ranges from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, with an impressive annual capacity of 185,791 concrete blocks (19x39x7 cm). Key findings include: 1) One ton of Concrete Blocks has a carbon footprint of 88.51 kgCO2eq; 2) carbon footprint values for raw material acquisition and production and waste disposal stages are 84.78 kgCO2eq and 3.73 kgCO2eq, respectively; 3) the production process with the highest carbon footprint involves mixing raw materials with a mixer, accounting for 1.33 kgCO2eq (44.12%); and 4) cement emerges as the raw material with the highest carbon footprint, contributing 71.42 kgCO2eq (80.69%). This study underscores a crucial strategy for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in concrete block production—improving the raw material procurement process, with a focus on acquiring materials with a lower carbon footprint, particularly exploring alternatives to the current type of cement used.