Life-cycle impacts from environmentally friendly blocks

There are growing stockpiles of industrial by-products world-wide, and Australia is not an exception. Recycling industrial by-products in an innovative way is a common challenge faced by many industries. Nu-Rock is a one of the reliable solutions to the industrial by-product dilemma by converting waste from coal fired power stations into a range of unique and superior masonry products for the construction industry. Nu-Rock produces a range of building products including common or rendered bricks and blocks, masonry bricks, blocks, pipes, pavers, tiles, and sheeted products. This research study conducted a detailed, and robust life-cycle analysis from cradle-tocradle considering two parameters: cost and environmental impacts. A model has been prepared using GaBi 8.0 software for calculating the climate change and ozone depletion potential. The lifecycle cost analysis calculated the current and likely future expenditure arising from block manufacturing process focusing on Nu-Rock and the customers/end-users. Nu-Rock technology can process approximately 250,000 tonnes of ash per annum and manufacture the equivalent of up to 330,000 tonnes volume of traditional building materials. The selling price of Nu-Rock brick fall within the rage of a common brick in Sydney, Australia. The only difference between Nu-Rock blocks and common bricks is that Nu-Rock blocks derive a waste range of environmental benefits. Nu-Rock blocks emit carbon emissions approximately 27 kg CO2-eq per tonne during the raw material extraction phase although for a conventional block it ranges from 67 to 113 kg CO2-e per tonne.

Automated summary

There is a growing global problem of industrial by-product accumulation, and Australia is not exempt. Nu-Rock offers a reliable solution by converting waste from coal fired power stations into high-quality masonry products for the construction industry. A detailed life-cycle analysis was conducted, considering both cost and environmental impacts. The study found that Nu-Rock can produce a large volume of products equivalent to traditional building materials, with prices comparable to common bricks, while offering superior environmental benefits.