Life cycle assessment (LCA) of the industrial production of structural glued laminated bamboo

Bamboo is a promising bio-based construction material for achieving China's carbon neutrality goal. This study developed methodological approaches for life cycle assessment (cradle to gate) of structural glued laminated bamboo (SGLB) produced from moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis), including measuring and calculating biogenic carbon storage and emissions during the manufacturing process. Primary data was collected through experiments and field investigation resulting in development of world's first life cycle inventory (LCI) of SGLB; background data from Ecoinvent 3.10 was used, and the analysis was performed using OpenLCA 2.1: IPCC 2021 method AR6. Uncertainty analysis was conducted using Monte Carlo Simulation. The results illustrate that SGLB can store 1140 kgCO2e/m3, which is more than twice biogenic CO2 emitted (467 +/- 9.1 kgCO2e/m3) during its production. Electricity, adhesive, and transportation are the top three emission sources, among which electricity contributed to 71% of the final emission and was mainly consumed at the fine-planed bamboo strip processing factories. The production process generates around 60% of bamboo co-products, which can be effectively used for heat and power co-generation that can drastically reduce the carbon emissions to 156 kgCO2e/m3. In addition, maximal use of sea transportation between factory gate and consumer can further mitigate carbon emission. Further research on the end-of-life scenarios of SGLB in structures, and research on SGLB produced from other bamboo species in Africa, Latin America, and Southeastern Asia need to be undertaken.