Environmental impact assessment of construction materials in a battery factory

Abstract: This paper explores the environmental impact of construction materials in a battery factory, with a particular focus on their global warming potential, acidification, and eutrophication potential. The production of construction materials is found to contribute significantly to the overall environmental impact of a building, with steel and concrete identified as having the highest impact among the materials analyzed. The GWP of steel and concrete production can range from 100 to 200 kg CO2eq/m2 and 10 to 20 kg CO2eq/m2, respectively. However, initiatives such as HYBRIT and H2Green steel involving the use of hydrogen in the steelmaking process have the potential to reduce emissions by up to 95 percent. Moreover, the carbon footprint of battery cell production is another critical aspect to consider. Northvolt has set an ambitious target to decrease the carbon footprint of its cell fabrication from 33 kg to 10 kg CO2eq./kWh by 2023. Additionally, in the product stage (A1-A3) when constructing the factory, a cell’s energy storage capacity only accounts for significantly less than 1 kg CO2eq./kWh. This means that Northvolt is heading in the right direction to achieve its goal. In conclusion, this paper highlights the urgent need for action in the building sector to reduce carbon emissions and promote greater sustainability. With greener initiatives, the steel industry can achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, which can contribute to achieving global carbon emission targets. It is critical to continue researching and implementing sustainable practices in the building sector as it plays a crucial role in reducing overall carbon emissions.