Using a glass-fibre reinforced polymer composite in the production of sustainable water storage vessels

Abstract

The quest for sustainability by rethinking materials, products and production strategies is an enormous challenge currently laid upon the economic sector. Materials selection plays a critical role in this challenge. The present work describes a technological, environmental and economic study of the production of a water storage glass-fibre reinforced composite vessel. The vessel was evaluated via a Life Cycle Assessment/Life Cycle Costing (LCA/LCC) integrated model. The most significant life cycle phase was found to be the raw materials production, in which the Fossil fuels, Respiratory inorganics and Climate change were the relevant impact categories. The vessel environmental and economic performances could be improved if an end of life (EoL) option different from landfill had been chosen. The present work describes a new integrated way of analysing the environmental and economic performances of a structural product full life cycle. It also highlights the role and importance of fibre reinforced polymer composites in the quest for sustainable products.