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Environmental burdens of External Thermal Insulation Systems. Expanded Polystyrene vs. Mineral Wool: Case Study from Poland

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  • Jacek Michalak

    (Research and Development Center, Atlas sp. z o.o., 2, Kilinskiego St., 91–421 Lodz, Poland)

  • Sebastian Czernik

    (Research and Development Center, Atlas sp. z o.o., 2, Kilinskiego St., 91–421 Lodz, Poland)

  • Marta Marcinek

    (Research and Development Center, Atlas sp. z o.o., 2, Kilinskiego St., 91–421 Lodz, Poland)

  • Bartosz Michałowski

    (Research and Development Center, Atlas sp. z o.o., 2, Kilinskiego St., 91–421 Lodz, Poland)

Abstract

The external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS) improves the energy efficiency of buildings, and nowadays, this method is the most popular to insulate buildings in many European Union (EU) countries. The article presents the impact of producing ETICS with expanded polystyrene (EPS) or mineral wool (MW) on the natural environment using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method. The data used in the calculations, related to 2017 real production, were obtained from the externally verified inventory from five manufacturing plants located in different regions of Poland. The LCA of the examined products covered modules from A1 to A3 (cradle-to-gate), according to EN 15804 standard. The study determines and analyses the values of basic indicators related to environmental impacts and environmental aspects of resource use. It comprises indicators calculated for 1 m 2 ETICS for five thicknesses of the mentioned thermal insulation materials. Results show that for all environmental indicators, MW systems are characterized by a more negative environmental impact than the equivalent systems with EPS. The study aims to highlight knowledge about ETICS sustainability. The data presented in work are essential for assessment in terms of the sustainable development of ETICS. Such an evaluation is not just a need for the future but a necessity for the present.

Suggested Citation

  • Jacek Michalak & Sebastian Czernik & Marta Marcinek & Bartosz Michałowski, 2020. "Environmental burdens of External Thermal Insulation Systems. Expanded Polystyrene vs. Mineral Wool: Case Study from Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:11:p:4532-:d:366551
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stefan Sattler & Doris Österreicher, 2019. "Assessment of Sustainable Construction Measures in Building Refurbishment—Life Cycle Comparison of Conventional and Multi-Active Façade Systems in a Social Housing Complex," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-22, August.
    2. Fabio Bisegna & Benedetta Mattoni & Paola Gori & Francesco Asdrubali & Claudia Guattari & Luca Evangelisti & Sara Sambuco & Francesco Bianchi, 2016. "Influence of Insulating Materials on Green Building Rating System Results," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-17, September.
    3. Aditya, L. & Mahlia, T.M.I. & Rismanchi, B. & Ng, H.M. & Hasan, M.H. & Metselaar, H.S.C. & Muraza, Oki & Aditiya, H.B., 2017. "A review on insulation materials for energy conservation in buildings," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 1352-1365.
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    Cited by:

    1. Darja Kubečková & Michal Kraus & Ingrid Juhásová Šenitková & Magdaléna Vrbová, 2020. "The Indoor Microclimate of Prefabricated Buildings for Housing: Interaction of Environmental and Construction Measures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-23, December.
    2. Rayane de Lima Moura Paiva & Lucas Rosse Caldas & Adriana Paiva de Souza Martins & Patricia Brandão de Sousa & Giulia Fea de Oliveira & Romildo Dias Toledo Filho, 2021. "Thermal-Energy Analysis and Life Cycle GHG Emissions Assessments of Innovative Earth-Based Bamboo Plastering Mortars," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-24, September.
    3. Jacek Michalak, 2021. "External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) from Industry and Academia Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-18, December.
    4. Sebastian Czernik & Marta Marcinek & Bartosz Michałowski & Michał Piasecki & Justyna Tomaszewska & Jacek Michalak, 2020. "Environmental Footprint of Cementitious Adhesives—Components of ETICS," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-13, October.
    5. Małgorzata Niziurska & Michał Wieczorek & Klaudiusz Borkowicz, 2022. "Fire Safety of External Thermal Insulation Systems (ETICS) in the Aspect of Sustainable Use of Natural Resources," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-15, January.
    6. Jacek Michalak & Bartosz Michałowski, 2022. "Understanding Sustainability of Construction Products: Answers from Investors, Contractors, and Sellers of Building Materials," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-14, March.
    7. Darja Kubečková, 2022. "The Quality of ETICS in the Context of Energy and Social Changes (Case Study)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-13, March.
    8. Darja Kubečková & Magdaléna Vrbová, 2021. "Historical Development of Thermal Protection of Prefab Residential Housing and Its Future, an Example of the Czech Republic," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-21, May.
    9. Pamela Del Rosario & Elisabetta Palumbo & Marzia Traverso, 2021. "Environmental Product Declarations as Data Source for the Environmental Assessment of Buildings in the Context of Level(s) and DGNB: How Feasible Is Their Adoption?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-22, May.

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