Abstract
Cross-laminated timber (CLT) offers a renewable alternative to conventional building materials, but its environmental performance depends on species selection and supply chains. This study presents a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) of CLT panels manufactured from fast-growing plantation species—Eucalyptus grandis and Acacia mangium—compared with traditional softwood CLT and reinforced concrete for a 6-story residential building in a tropical climate. Primary data were collected from a pilot production facility in Brazil, and the ReCiPe 2016 method was used to assess 18 midpoint impact categories. Results show that plantation CLT reduces global warming potential by 42–58% relative to concrete, with biogenic carbon storage contributing a net negative emission of −87 kg CO2 eq/m³. However, eutrophication and ecotoxicity impacts are higher due to fertilizer use in plantations. Sensitivity analyses reveal that transportation distance and adhesive type significantly influence outcomes. The findings confirm that fast-growing species CLT is a viable low-carbon solution for mid-rise construction, provided that plantation management minimizes nutrient runoff.
Keywords
cross-laminated timber, life cycle assessment, fast-growing species, mid-rise construction, biogenic carbon, eucalyptus, acacia, sustainable building materials