Analysis of the environmental impact of the production of building gypsum using natural and flue gas desulfurization gypsum in the Polish context

The production of construction products is associated with energy and raw materials consumption, including those of natural origin. Their use is associated with the generation of significant quantity of waste and the emission of greenhouse gases. Therefore, for the sustainable development of civilization, it is essential to reduce the environmental impact of construction products. Gypsum is one of the primary mineral binders, commonly used in construction. The study compares the effect on the environment of building gypsum made of natural raw materials and gypsum obtained in the flue gas desulfurization process. Nine environmental impact indicators were analyzed: global warming potential – GWP, stratospheric ozone layer depletion potential – ODP, soil and water acidification potential – AP, eutrophication potential – EP, tropospheric ozone formation potential – POCP, abiotic depletion potential for non-fossil resources – ADP-elements and fossil resources-ADP-fossil fuels, total use of renewable primary energy resources – PERT and total use of non-renewable primary energy resources – PENRT. Higher values of all considered indicators were obtained for building gypsum made of raw material from flue gas desulfurization processes. The environmental impact assessment was carried out using the Life Cycle Assessment [LCA] method and actual production data from 2017. The life cycle analyzed in this paper covered modules from A1 to A3, i.e., from the extraction/acquisition of raw materials to the finished product, delivered to the factory gate.