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The construction sector is exploring sustainable alternatives to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) due to its high carbon footprint. This study evaluates an Iron Carbonate Binder, composed of 60% iron powder (steel industry waste), 20% fly ash, 10% metakaolin, 10% limestone powder, and 2% oxalic acid, through a cradle-to-gate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) following ISO 14040/44 guidelines. Using SimaPro with the Ecoinvent 3 database, the binder’s environmental impact is compared to OPC-based paste. Results shows that Iron Carbonate Binder reduces global warming potential (GWP) by 34.3%, emitting 375 kg CO2 eq versus 571 kg CO2 eq for OPC, primarily by eliminating energy-intensive clinker production. The binder is carbon-negative (−3.62 kg CO2 eq/kg) due to CO2 sequestration during curing and reduces fossil resource depletion by 34.6%. ReCiPe Endpoint H analysis reveals an overall 32% lower environmental impact score, with reductions of 30% in human health impacts, 37% in ecosystem damage, and 34% in resource depletion. Additionally, it improves air quality through negative photochemical ozone formation potential (− 0.12 kg C2H4 eq). While aligning with circular economy principles, the binder has marginally higher metal depletion, requiring process optimization. Overall, it presents a scalable, low-carbon alternative to OPC, supporting sustainable infrastructure by balancing climate benefits with resource efficiency, making it a promising material for decarbonizing construction.

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Evaluating the Environmental Impact of Iron Carbonate Binder as a Carbon-Negative Alternative to Ordinary Portland Cement: A Life Cycle Assessment Study

  • 会议论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年

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  • Bollu Githisha,
  • M. Niveditha,
  • P. N. Aparna,
  • T. Palanisamy

摘要

The construction sector is exploring sustainable alternatives to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) due to its high carbon footprint. This study evaluates an Iron Carbonate Binder, composed of 60% iron powder (steel industry waste), 20% fly ash, 10% metakaolin, 10% limestone powder, and 2% oxalic acid, through a cradle-to-gate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) following ISO 14040/44 guidelines. Using SimaPro with the Ecoinvent 3 database, the binder’s environmental impact is compared to OPC-based paste. Results shows that Iron Carbonate Binder reduces global warming potential (GWP) by 34.3%, emitting 375 kg CO2 eq versus 571 kg CO2 eq for OPC, primarily by eliminating energy-intensive clinker production. The binder is carbon-negative (−3.62 kg CO2 eq/kg) due to CO2 sequestration during curing and reduces fossil resource depletion by 34.6%. ReCiPe Endpoint H analysis reveals an overall 32% lower environmental impact score, with reductions of 30% in human health impacts, 37% in ecosystem damage, and 34% in resource depletion. Additionally, it improves air quality through negative photochemical ozone formation potential (− 0.12 kg C2H4 eq). While aligning with circular economy principles, the binder has marginally higher metal depletion, requiring process optimization. Overall, it presents a scalable, low-carbon alternative to OPC, supporting sustainable infrastructure by balancing climate benefits with resource efficiency, making it a promising material for decarbonizing construction.