A comparative LCA as a tool for evaluating existing best available techniques (BATs) in facing brick manufacturing and more eco-sustainable coating solutions

The article presents a comparative LCA study focusing on the environmental impacts of different manufacturing options for facing bricks, particularly the use of engobe and glaze coatings. It evaluates the environmental performance of three scenarios: natural bricks, engobed bricks, and glazed bricks. The study highlights the significant environmental impacts associated with the additional materials and processes involved in coating solutions. Additionally, the article assesses the validity of current European BATs for the ceramic industry, considering technological advancements. The study uses Germany as the reference country for the manufacturing plant and employs a cradle-to-gate approach. The research identifies hotspots in the production process and discusses potential improvements for more sustainable brick manufacturing. The LCIA results show substantial increases in impact categories such as abiotic depletion, global warming potential, and human toxicity for the coated brick scenarios. The study concludes with a sensitivity analysis, emphasizing the importance of thermal energy efficiency in the firing stage and the impact of coating material compositions on environmental impacts.