Environmental performance of glass foam as insulation material from waste glass with the alkali activation process

Glass foams is an interesting option for the use of fractions glass cullet otherwise destined to landfills. As building insulation materials, obtained by conventional processes have still some drawbacks in purity starting feedstock, which can be avoided implementing alkali activation process. Using life cycle assessment methodology, research analyses potential impacts associated foam from waste through a laboratory scale plant with ‘cradle grave’ perspective. The main phases included system boundaries are downstream activities related transportation and landfill disposal, production process obtain foam, upstream phase end life. environmental profile calculated primary data integrated Ecoinvent database, using ReCiPe 2016 impact method SimaPro software. Results demonstrate greatest contribution on overall due production, linked electricity consumption drying firing surfactant foaming. Sensitivity clarify that consistent improvement minimization distances both between site, use; otherwise, different energy-mix lower temperature chemical negligible effects profile. reveals useful information optimize upcycling before moving industrialization: future investigations should involve selection biodegradable surfactants, renewable sources.