Life Cycle Assessment of the Decarbonisation Opportunities of a Brick Manufacturing Facility in Australia

Abstract

This research tackles the urgent challenge of reducing carbon emissions within the construction industry, where building materials—especially bricks—play a significant role in global greenhouse gas emissions. Brick manufacturing, in particular, significantly contributes to the industry’s carbon footprint, underscoring the need for decarbonisation strategies. This study examines potential pathways to achieve this by exploring alternative fuel options and assessing their environmental impact using life cycle assessment (LCA). Focusing on a brick manufacturing plant in Australia, identified as Plant A, the study uses a cradle-to-gate LCA approach to establish baseline emissions and evaluate the benefits of various fuel-switch scenarios. Key results show that switching the current mixed grid electricity and natural gas to solar power delivers the most significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, achieving cuts of 69%. Switching natural gas to biomethane leads to a 58% reduction while moving from grid electricity to solar achieves a 16% decrease. These findings highlight the significant carbon savings achievable through fuel-switching in brick production, aligning with sustainable construction goals and climate targets. It is evident from the study that renewable energy integration should be prioritised, biomethane should be considered as a practical interim solution, and hydrogen’s viability for longer-term decarbonisation should be assessed. Future research should expand to a cradle-to-cradle perspective to capture the full environmental benefits of brick production, including reuse, recycling, and circular processes.