Life Cycle Assessment of Aluminium Alloys for Sustainable Building Materials and Components

Abstract

Aluminium has become a cornerstone of sustainable architectural design due to its lightweight properties, structural strength, corrosion resistance, and high recyclability. However, its primary production remains energy-intensive and a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study presents a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of commonly used aluminium alloys in architectural components, evaluating them across key stages-production and end-of-life-based on energy consumption, emissions, and recyclability. The analysis covers 3000, 5000 and 6000-series alloys, as well as recycled, anodized, and coated variants. The study contributes a parameterized LCA-based framework to support sustainable material selection in façade and structural design. It highlights the importance of incorporating recycled content, optimizing alloy use based on application, and adopting circular economy strategies such as closed-loop recycling. These findings offer practical guidance for architects, engineers, and policymakers striving toward low-carbon, net-zero building goals.