Update in LCA Data for Cross Laminated Timber – From Tree to Panel: Data for Accurate and Transparent Assessment

Through their research, W/E Adviseurs, Probos, and SHR present an updated Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) dataset for Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), improving accuracy and transparency in environmental performance calculations. The study addresses discrepancies in current LCA databases and identifies key factors affecting environmental impact assessments. By integrating updated background data from literature and field studies, the research confirms CLT’s production efficiency and presents recommendations for better evaluating biobased materials in LCA methodologies.

Key Takeaways

1. Enhanced LCA Accuracy: The study refines data related to CLT production efficiency (now estimated at 76-86%) and highlights variations in environmental impacts due to different methodologies and data sources.
2. Key environmental impact factors: Three main impact categories account for the majority of CLT’s environmental footprint: climate change – fossil emissions, particulate matter emissions, and land-use-related effects.
3. Recommendations for LCA data improvements: The report suggests refining impact assessment methods, standardising economic allocation factors for by-products, and better incorporating biodiversity and carbon storage benefits.

Key Learnings

1. Standardisation is crucial: Variability in LCA results underscores the need for standardised datasets and methodologies to ensure comparability.
2. Land use impact remains a challenge: The study highlights the ongoing debate over how to quantify land use effects in LCAs for biobased materials.
3. Carbon storage needs better representation: Current LCA methodologies may undervalue the long-term carbon sequestration benefits of timber products.