Green building materials: ready-mixed mortar

The core content of the certification

is green building materials certification of ready-mixed mortar focuses on the green performance of the product throughout its life cycle. The core examination includes the following five attribute dimensions:

• Resource attributes: including indicators such as comprehensive utilization rate of solid waste in the production process and localization degree of raw materials. Encourage enterprises to consume solid waste such as desulfurized gypsum and fly ash, and at the same time reduce the environmental impact of transportation through localized procurement. The comprehensive utilization rate indicator of solid waste in the production process is calculated and evaluated in accordance with the requirements of T/CECS 10048-2019 standard.
• Energy attributes: Focus on energy consumption indicators per unit of product production. The energy consumption index of dry-mixed mortar products shall refer to the advanced value requirements of Beijing City local standard "Comprehensive Energy Consumption Limits per Unit Product of Ready-mixed Mortar"(DB11/T1527 -2018), and the energy consumption index of wet-mixed mortar products shall refer to the first level of the "Energy Consumption Limits per Unit Product of Ready-mixed Concrete"(GB36888 -2018). The energy consumption accounting scope does not include sand drying, crushing sand making and other links.
• Environmental attributes: covering specific activity, total lead content, soluble heavy metal content (cadmium, chromium, mercury), formaldehyde release, total volatile organic compound (TVOC) release and other indicators. This is the indicator that consumers are most concerned about and is directly related to indoor air quality and human health. The test of TVOC and formaldehyde emissions was carried out in accordance with the method "Determination of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Emissions in Coatings"(GB/T 37884-2019). Sample preparation was carried out in accordance with paste putty products, and environmental chamber testing was carried out in 72 hours (3 days).
• Quality attributes: including physical performance indicators such as tensile bond strength, compressive strength, and flexural strength. These indicators are aligned with the current three-star indicators of green building materials products, ensuring that products have excellent performance while meeting green requirements. The product types of ready-mixed mortar for decoration and decoration cover two categories: cement-based and gypsum-based, including tile bonding mortar, caulking mortar, waterproof mortar, plastering mortar, floor mortar, colored decorative mortar, sound insulation mortar, etc.
• Low-carbon attributes: According to the analysis results of the carbon footprint of mortar products, the main link of carbon emission of cement-based ready-mixed mortar products is the raw material acquisition stage, and the main link of carbon emission of gypsum-based ready-mixed mortar products is upstream energy production. The baseline value of the carbon footprint during the raw material production stage needs to be determined through carbon footprint analysis of cement, gypsum and other products. Since the carbon emissions from the production process of mortar products only account for less than 1% of its life cycle carbon emissions (cradle to door), low-carbon attribute indicators are required in the form of providing a product carbon footprint report, and no separate quantitative indicators are set.

Certification level and evaluation system

Green building materials product grading certification is based on T/CECS10048 -2019 and other standards. According to the evaluation index level achieved by the product, it is divided into three levels from low to high:

• one-star: meets basic green evaluation requirements and conforms to the national basic standards for green building materials. Products under evaluation must first meet the various compliance requirements put forward for production enterprises in the basic requirements, and at the same time, the four attributes of resources, energy, environment and quality should meet the one-star value required by the evaluation indicators.
• Two-star: It has performed well in resource conservation, energy consumption, environmental protection, etc., reaching the advanced level in the industry. The requirements for various evaluation indicators are stricter than one-star.
• Three-star: Excellent green performance and minimum impact on the ecological environment throughout the life cycle. It is the highest level of green building materials product. The requirements for various evaluation indicators are the most stringent, and three-star products need to reach industry-leading levels in key indicators such as quality attributes.

The evaluation method also considers the reference of incentive requirements. Green benchmark products should meet at least two incentive requirements, and green products must meet at least one. Encouraging requirements include: actively paying attention to the environmental impact of the entire life cycle (making environmental statements through scientific methods such as LCA), using clean energy such as green electricity, and giving priority to the use of packaging bags made of renewable materials.

Basic requirements for certification

Enterprises and products applying for green building materials certification of ready-mixed mortar must meet the following basic conditions:

• Production and operation compliance requirements: The production conditions of the production enterprise and the products it produces must meet the requirements of national standards, and no product quality has occurred within three years. Liability accidents, major environmental pollution incidents and production safety accidents.
• Pollutant emission control: Enterprises should ensure that pollutant emission indicators meet the total amount and intensity requirements of pollutant emissions stipulated in relevant standards, environmental impact assessment approvals, etc. The collection, storage and disposal of general solid waste shall comply with the relevant provisions of GB 18599; the storage of hazardous waste must meet the requirements of national standards, and the disposal of hazardous waste must be carried out by specific units.
• Technical compliance of production equipment: Production enterprises should adopt recommended technologies and equipment issued by relevant national departments, and should not adopt technologies, processes, equipment and related substances that have been eliminated or prohibited.
• Packaging material compliance: For companies that produce ready-mixed mortar for decoration and decoration, paper or woven packaging bags are usually needed, and production companies should purchase packaging bags that meet the standard requirements. Encourage companies to give priority to sustainable packaging bags made of renewable materials, etc. to reduce the risk of environmental pollution of packaging materials.
• Management system requirements: Enterprises should establish and operate quality management systems, environmental management systems and occupational health and safety management systems in accordance with GB/T 19001, GB/T 24001, and GB/T 45001 respectively. The energy management system is an effective starting point for production enterprises to ensure energy conservation and an effective way for enterprises to develop green.
• Product qualification requirements: Products should meet the requirements of the implemented standards, which is the prerequisite for enterprises to pursue the production of green products. The product must provide a type inspection report valid within one year.

Green building materials: Ready-mixed mortar certification is an authoritative certification mechanism for systematically evaluating the green and environmental protection performance of ready-mixed mortar products. It aims to promote the green transformation of the building materials industry through grading evaluation and achieve energy conservation, emission reduction, low carbon, safety, convenience and recycling goals. This certification is based onT/CECS 10048-2019 "Green Building Materials Evaluation Ready-mixed Mortar"and other standards and specifications, conducts a comprehensive inspection of the resource attributes, energy attributes, environmental attributes, quality attributes and low-carbon attributes of ready-mixed mortar products, and is finally awarded aone-star, two-star or three-stargreen building materials product grading certificate to the enterprise, valid forfive years.

The core content of the certification

is green building materials certification of ready-mixed mortar focuses on the green performance of the product throughout its life cycle. The core examination includes the following five attribute dimensions:

• Resource attributes: including indicators such as comprehensive utilization rate of solid waste in the production process and localization degree of raw materials. Encourage enterprises to consume solid waste such as desulfurized gypsum and fly ash, and at the same time reduce the environmental impact of transportation through localized procurement. The comprehensive utilization rate indicator of solid waste in the production process is calculated and evaluated in accordance with the requirements of T/CECS 10048-2019 standard.
• Energy attributes: Focus on energy consumption indicators per unit of product production. The energy consumption index of dry-mixed mortar products shall refer to the advanced value requirements of Beijing City local standard "Comprehensive Energy Consumption Limits per Unit Product of Ready-mixed Mortar"(DB11/T1527 -2018), and the energy consumption index of wet-mixed mortar products shall refer to the first level of the "Energy Consumption Limits per Unit Product of Ready-mixed Concrete"(GB36888 -2018). The energy consumption accounting scope does not include sand drying, crushing sand making and other links.
• Environmental attributes: covering specific activity, total lead content, soluble heavy metal content (cadmium, chromium, mercury), formaldehyde release, total volatile organic compound (TVOC) release and other indicators. This is the indicator that consumers are most concerned about and is directly related to indoor air quality and human health. The test of TVOC and formaldehyde emissions was carried out in accordance with the method "Determination of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Emissions in Coatings"(GB/T 37884-2019). Sample preparation was carried out in accordance with paste putty products, and environmental chamber testing was carried out in 72 hours (3 days).
• Quality attributes: including physical performance indicators such as tensile bond strength, compressive strength, and flexural strength. These indicators are aligned with the current three-star indicators of green building materials products, ensuring that products have excellent performance while meeting green requirements. The product types of ready-mixed mortar for decoration and decoration cover two categories: cement-based and gypsum-based, including tile bonding mortar, caulking mortar, waterproof mortar, plastering mortar, floor mortar, colored decorative mortar, sound insulation mortar, etc.
• Low-carbon attributes: According to the analysis results of the carbon footprint of mortar products, the main link of carbon emission of cement-based ready-mixed mortar products is the raw material acquisition stage, and the main link of carbon emission of gypsum-based ready-mixed mortar products is upstream energy production. The baseline value of the carbon footprint during the raw material production stage needs to be determined through carbon footprint analysis of cement, gypsum and other products. Since the carbon emissions from the production process of mortar products only account for less than 1% of its life cycle carbon emissions (cradle to door), low-carbon attribute indicators are required in the form of providing a product carbon footprint report, and no separate quantitative indicators are set.

Certification level and evaluation system

Green building materials product grading certification is based on T/CECS10048 -2019 and other standards. According to the evaluation index level achieved by the product, it is divided into three levels from low to high:

• one-star: meets basic green evaluation requirements and conforms to the national basic standards for green building materials. Products under evaluation must first meet the various compliance requirements put forward for production enterprises in the basic requirements, and at the same time, the four attributes of resources, energy, environment and quality should meet the one-star value required by the evaluation indicators.
• Two-star: It has performed well in resource conservation, energy consumption, environmental protection, etc., reaching the advanced level in the industry. The requirements for various evaluation indicators are stricter than one-star.
• Three-star: Excellent green performance and minimum impact on the ecological environment throughout the life cycle. It is the highest level of green building materials product. The requirements for various evaluation indicators are the most stringent, and three-star products need to reach industry-leading levels in key indicators such as quality attributes.

Applicable product range

Ready-mixed mortar Green building materials certification applies to all types of ready-mixed mortar products, including but not limited to:

• ordinary mortar: masonry mortar, plastering mortar, floor mortar, waterproof mortar and other
• special mortars: tile-bonding mortar, caulking mortar, repair mortar, interface mortar, polymer waterproof mortar and other
• decorative mortars: Colorful decorative mortar, artistic mortar and other functional
• mortars: sound-insulating mortar, thermal insulation mortar, self-leveling mortar, etc.

can be divided into two major categories: cement-based and gypsum-based from the main raw materials. Ready-mixed mortar products for decoration and decoration cover the ground, wall or ceiling application scenarios of all functional zones such as living rooms, kitchen and bathroom rooms, basements, and balconies for home decoration.