CO2 emissions in mortar coating systems: comparative case study between projected and conventional method

Abstract The process of producing buildings has significant environmental impacts, especially through green house gas (GHG) emissions. In Brazil, mortar coating is still often executed by conventional methods, despite the industry's efforts to rationalize the production process. It is worthwhile to analyse the impacts caused during the application phase, looking for alternatives that can minimize the emissions of polluting gases. In this context, this study aims to evaluate CO2 emissions through the CO2 Emission Life Cycle Assessment (ACVCO2) in two mortar application techniques: projected and conventional. The methodology is based on a case study of a building in Brasília, Brazil, through a simulation of the execution of the two coating techniques analysed. ACVCO2 was restricted to the application phase of the coating. The results indicate that the projected plaster produces a lower percentage of CO2 emissions, 50% lower than the conventional method. Even though energy consumption increased due to equipment operation, the reduction in the losses of the projected application technique was favourable in relation to the reduction of associated emissions, which is an incentive to disseminate streamlined construction techniques.