The European Green Deal prescribes to cut greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by at least 55% by 2030, to become climate neutral by 2050: the building sector is responsible for around 45% of all GHG all over the world.
A contribution to the “green” building sector is given by formulating products made from innovative and recycled raw materials, and through products with improved mechanical performances and durability which lead to reduce waste and resources consumption.
In order to evaluate the environmental impacts during the whole life cycle of products the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) methodology can be used.
From our studies, the highest environmental impacts come from raw materials, especially from hydraulic (cement contained in ceramic-tile adhesives) and organic binders, which give quality and durability to the adhesive. The challenge for the industry is to find out innovative materials which can be used in the adhesive formulation and give lower impacts in terms of environment maintaining high quality and long durability.
The target of our research is to use alternative binders, such as blast furnace slag, fly ashes, pozzolanic binders to limit the use of clinker, obtaining high quality and durable products, with a low impact on our planet.
Co-authors: Marco Mazzetti, Laura Carettoni, Diego Pala