Sources: International Zinc Association, Durham, N.C.
A new industry and academia initiative, Zinc Enables Decarbonization (ZED), compares life cycle carbon dioxide emissions levels of galvanized rebar and other hot dip zinc-coated steel products against those of more common residential and heavy/civil construction solutions. The International Zinc Association and University of British Columbia Bradshaw Research Institute for Minerals and Mining Program Director Benjamin Cox have kicked off ZED with a Residential House fact sheet, noting how galvanized rebar for the foundation of a typical home offers a 150-year service life and CO2 emissions factor of 19 metric tons versus a 75-year service life and CO2 factor of 38 metric tons for conventional steel rebar. Additional CO2 emissions savings are realized with galvanized steel versus asphalt roofing products.
“Zinc’s impact in housing increases with each year of service life, adding substantial economic and environmental value to every home and providing a bright outlook for zinc and the homes it enhances,” says ZED Director Eric Van Genderen. “With these results, we can make the case to policy makers, investors, engineers, and builders to make zinc a permanent part of residential construction planning.”
“Zinc plays a transformative role in building stronger, more sustainable communities, particularly in the decarbonization of residential buildings,” says International Zinc Association Executive Director Andrew Green. “From the foundation to the rooftop, zinc enables long-lasting, low maintenance solutions that enhance a home’s durability and environmental performance.”
“Our research finds that zinc provides long-term savings by preventing repeated repair and replacement of a home’s roof and foundation,” adds Professor Cox. “But in addition to economic savings, we’ve also accounted for the extraordinary environmental benefit zinc provides—preventing hundreds of millions of tons in carbon emissions.”
ZED will follow up on the Residential Housing with fact sheets on zinc’s impact in transportation and energy infrastructure. — www.zinc.org