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Process Data set: Cavity masonry block (en) en

Key Data Set Information
Location IE
Geographical representativeness description Republic of Ireland
Reference year 2026
Name
Cavity masonry block
Use advice for data set This LCA covers the Product (A1, A2 and A3), Transport to site (A4), Construction Installation (A5), User (B1 to B7), End of Life (C1 to C4) and Benefits/loads beyond the system boundary (D) Stages, as indicated above. This is termed: "Cradle to grave and module D". A schematic of these stages is presented in the flow diagram below.
Technical purpose of product or process The cavity concrete blocks are robust masonry units designed with one or more formed cavities to reduce weight and improve handling while maintaining structural performance. These blocks offer a balance between strength and reduced material usage and are suitable for a variety of construction applications. They are commonly used in housing, commercial, and industrial projects for external and internal walls, cavity walls, and load-bearing or non-load-bearing partitions. The cavity concrete masonry units are manufactured in accordance with BS EN 771-3:2011+A1:2015, Specification for masonry units – Part 3: Aggregate concrete masonry units (dense and lightweight aggregates). Further technical details on the blocks can be obtained from the manufacturer’s product literature. Further technical details on the blocks can be obtained from the manufacturer’s product literature.
General comment on data set Data quality: Time Representativeness The data relating to the manufacturing of concrete blocks, and the data relating to the background processes for environmental impacts are recent (<2 years). The records for the supplier of the CEM I and CEM II/A-L cement are from the EPD for Breedon Cement products for the production year of 2024. Time Representativeness is considered to be Very good. Geographical Representativeness The processes used in the production of the concrete blocks are geographically representative, insofar as the production location of the blocks lies within the region for which the relevant Ecoinvent (version 3.11) environmental records have been selected. The modelling of the cement uses the actual cement supplier to Breedon blocks, Breedon Cement in Ireland. The impacts of the aggregates (crushed limestone) supplied from a local quarry are modelled based on the specific operational data from this quarry. Geographical Representativeness is considered to be Very good. Technical Representativeness Processes and energies used in the process have been modelled exactly as described by Breedon, and are based directly on the production data supplied by Breedon blocks, in relation to processes, fuels used, emissions and wastes generated, and without any significant need for improvement. The impacts of the aggregates (crushed limestone) supplied from a local quarry are modelled based on the specific operational data from this quarry. The records for the supplier of the CEM I and CEM II/A-L cement (Breedon Cement, Ireland) are from the EPD for Breedon Cement products, thus they are the most technically representative available. Technical Representativeness is considered to be Very good. Allocation: The source of default unit processes or activities is the Ecoinvent database version 3.11, system model “Allocation, cut-off by classification”. The measurement of environmental impacts in this EPD uses the LCIA methodologies recommended for PEF 3.1. In this EPD, the waste processes are allocated in the relevant module. In the case of the use of secondary materials or energy recovered from secondary fuels, the system boundary between the system under study and the previous system (providing the secondary materials) is set where outputs of the previous system, e.g. materials, products, building elements or energy, reach the end-of-waste state. The modularity and the polluter payer principles have been followed, Cut-off criteria: All relevant inputs and outputs - like emissions, energy and materials - have been taken into account in this LCA, and in accordance with EN15804+A2:2019. The study covers at least 95% of the materials and energy per module and at least 99% of the total use of materials and energy of each unit process. Long term emissions have been excluded from the study.
Copyright Yes
Owner of data set
Quantitative reference
Reference flow(s)
Biogenic carbon content
  • Carbon content (biogenic): 0.0 kg
  • Carbon content (biogenic) - packaging: 0.0 kg
Time representativeness
Data set valid until 2031
Time representativeness description "2026-06-11" - "2031-06-10"
Technological representativeness
Technology description including background system The main material components of the cavity concrete blocks are cement, graded aggregates, and water. The blocks typically incorporate voids or cavities that reduce their overall weight and can enhance thermal performance compared to solid dense blocks.

Indicators of life cycle

IndicatorDirectionUnit Transport
A4
 Installation
A5
 Use
B1
 Maintenance
B2
 Repair
B3
 Replacement
B4
 Refurbishment
B5
 Operational energy use
B6
 Operational water use
B7
 De-construction
C1
 Transport
C2
 Waste processing
C3
 Disposal
C4
 Recycling Potential
D
Use of renewable primary energy (PERE)
Input
  • 0.0008249
  • 0.003103
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0.002062
  • 0.00005939
  • 0
  • -0.003806
Use of renewable primary energy resources used as raw materials (PERM)
Input
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
Total use of renewable primary energy resource (PERT)
Input
  • 0.0008249
  • 0.003103
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0.002062
  • 0.00005939
  • 0
  • -0.003806
Use of non renewable primary energy (PENRE)
Input
  • 0.05579
  • 0.01542
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0.1395
  • 0.009964
  • 0
  • -0.05011
Use of non renewable primary energy resources used as raw materials (PENRM)
Input
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
Total use of non renewable primary energy resource (PENRT)
Input
  • 0.05579
  • 0.01542
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0.1395
  • 0.009964
  • 0
  • -0.05011
Use of secondary material (SM)
Input
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
Use of renewable secondary fuels (RSF)
Input
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
Use of non renewable secondary fuels (NRSF)
Input
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
Use of net fresh water (FW)
Input
  • 0.000007046
  • 0.000006175
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0.00001761
  • 8.135E-7
  • 0
  • -0.00127
Hazardous waste disposed (HWD)
Output
  • 3.339E-7
  • 1.109E-7
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 8.347E-7
  • 6.569E-8
  • 0
  • -2.444E-7
Non hazardous waste dispose (NHWD)
Output
  • 0.002607
  • 0.0002051
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0.006518
  • 0.000006368
  • 0
  • -0.0004264
Radioactive waste disposed (RWD)
Output
  • 1.726E-8
  • 4.962E-9
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 4.314E-8
  • 9.88E-10
  • 0
  • -6.333E-8
Components for re-use (CRU)
Output
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
Materials for recycling (MFR)
Output
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0.9
  • 0
  • 0
Materials for energy recovery (MER)
Output
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
Exported electrical energy (EEE)
Output
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
Exported thermal energy (EET)
Output
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

IndicatorUnit Transport
A4
 Installation
A5
 Use
B1
 Maintenance
B2
 Repair
B3
 Replacement
B4
 Refurbishment
B5
 Operational energy use
B6
 Operational water use
B7
 De-construction
C1
 Transport
C2
 Waste processing
C3
 Disposal
C4
 Recycling Potential
D
Abiotic depletion potential - fossil resources (ADPF)
  • 0.05248
  • 0.01448
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0.1312
  • 0.00937
  • 0
  • -0.04711
Abiotic depletion potential - non-fossil resources (ADPE)
  • 1.208E-8
  • 7.629E-9
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 3.02E-8
  • 2.59E-10
  • 0
  • -1.974E-8
Acidification potential, Accumulated Exceedance (AP)
  • 0.000008077
  • 0.000009096
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0.00002019
  • 0.000006477
  • 0
  • -0.00002589
Depletion potential of the stratospheric ozone layer (ODP)
  • 8E-11
  • 1.9E-11
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 2.01E-10
  • 1.1E-11
  • 0
  • -3.6E-11
Eutrophication potential - freshwater (EP-freshwater)
  • 3.002E-8
  • 5.159E-8
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 7.504E-8
  • 2.535E-9
  • 0
  • -1.261E-7
Eutrophication potential - marine (EP-marine)
  • 0.000001988
  • 0.00000283
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0.000004971
  • 0.000003011
  • 0
  • -0.000007774
Eutrophication potential - terrestrial (EP-terrestrial)
  • 0.00002071
  • 0.00003164
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0.00005176
  • 0.00003301
  • 0
  • -0.00008994
Global Warming Potential - biogenic (GWP-biogenic)
  • 0.000003385
  • -0.000001148
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0.000008463
  • 1.468E-7
  • 0
  • -0.00001319
Global Warming Potential - fossil fuels (GWP-fossil)
  • 0.003695
  • 0.002968
  • -0.005
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0.009238
  • 0.0007247
  • 0
  • -0.003793
Global Warming Potential - land use and land use change (GWP-luluc)
  • 0.000001824
  • 4.54E-7
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0.000004561
  • 7.414E-8
  • 0
  • -0.000004414
Global Warming Potential - total (GWP-total)
  • 0.0037
  • 0.002967
  • -0.005
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0.009251
  • 0.0007249
  • 0
  • -0.003811
Global warming potential except emissions and uptake of biogenic carbon (GWP-IOBC/GHG)
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential (POCP)
  • 0.00001254
  • 0.000009465
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0.00003135
  • 0.000009876
  • 0
  • -0.00002678
Water (user) deprivation potential (WDP)
  • 0.0002173
  • 0.0002414
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0.0005432
  • 0.0000265
  • 0
  • -0.05428

IndicatorUnit Transport
A4
 Installation
A5
 Use
B1
 Maintenance
B2
 Repair
B3
 Replacement
B4
 Refurbishment
B5
 Operational energy use
B6
 Operational water use
B7
 De-construction
C1
 Transport
C2
 Waste processing
C3
 Disposal
C4
 Recycling Potential
D
1This impact category deals mainly with the eventual impact of low dose ionizing radiation on human health of the nuclear fuel cycle. It does not consider effects due to possible nuclear accidents, occupational exposure nor due to radioactive waste disposal in underground facilities. Potential ionizing radiation from the soil, from radon and from some construction materials is also not measured by this indicator.
2The results of this environmental impact indicator shall be used with care as the uncertainties on these results are high or as there is limited experiences with the indicator.
Potential Comparative Toxic Unit for ecosystems (ETP-fw) 2
  • 0.02595
  • 0.004076
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0.06487
  • 0.0005117
  • 0
  • -0.009543
Potential Comparative Toxic Unit for humans - cancer effects (HTP-c) 2
  • 2E-12
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 4E-12
  • 0
  • 0
  • -1E-12
Potential Comparative Toxic Unit for humans - non-cancer effects (HTP-nc) 2
  • 3.7E-11
  • 1.2E-11
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 9.3E-11
  • 1E-12
  • 0
  • -2.9E-11
Potential Human exposure efficiency relative to U235 (IRP) 1
  • 0.0000266
  • 0.000008117
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0.00006649
  • 0.000001569
  • 0
  • -0.00009811
Potential incidence of disease due to PM emissions (PM) 2
  • 2.74E-10
  • 1.41E-10
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 6.86E-10
  • 1.85E-10
  • 0
  • -5.08E-10
Potential Soil quality index (SQP) 2
  • 0.03173
  • 0.004149
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0.07933
  • 0.0006263
  • 0
  • -0.05896