Innovation analysis of carbon emissions from the production of glued laminated timber in China based on real-time monitoring data

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production 2024-09, Vol.469, p.143174, Article 143174
• Main Authors: Gong, Yingchun, Liu, Ruijing, Yao, Lihong, Ren, Haiqing, Xu, Jinmei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon emission (CE); Carbon sequestration; Chinese GLT factories; Cradle-to-gate; Glued laminated timber (GLT)
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.143174

Timber structure buildings are set to bring new development opportunities and market prospects. Glued laminated timber (GLT) is the predominant material for beam-column frame construction, supported by credible data and environmental product declarations (EDPs) established in foreign countries. However, no standardized reference values were set for carbon emissions (CEs) from GLT in China. This study tracked the CEs of GLT manufacturing stages based on real-time monitoring data from Chinese GLT manufacturing factories. A power monitoring system was used to monitor the electricity consumption for each process in GLT production. The CEs of 1 m3 GLT cradle-to-gate were calculated using the process analysis method. The cradle-to-gate CEs of 1 m3 GLT were 198 kgCO2e, with the CEs of the A3+ stage totaling 54.94 kgCO2e, comparable to that of North America. The CEs of 1 m3 GLT cradle-to-gate (A1–A3+ stage) followed the order embodied CEs > direct CEs > indirect CEs. With wood carbon sequestration performance considered, the cradle-to-gate CE of 1 m3 GLT was −784.97 kgCO2e, highlighting the potential for wood building materials to achieve a negative carbon impact. Domestic timber manufacturing in China effectively reduces generated CEs relative to imported timber at the transportation stage. This study provides scientific background data supporting embodied carbon accounting in glued laminated timber frame buildings for practical projects. Such efforts can further contribute to realizing carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals in China.