Comparative Assessment of the Embodied Carbon of Alternative Interior Materials used in Addis Ababa: A Case Study of MDF and Plywood

Abstract

This Study Aims To Assess The Embodied Carbon Of Two Widely Used Interior Materials In Addis Ababa, Medium Density Fibreboard And Plywood. The Rapidly Expanding Interior Design Industry In The City Frequently Utilizes These Materials, Yet Their Specific Environmental Impact In The Local Context Remains Undetermined. Although Numerous Studies Have Investigated The Embodied Carbon Of Medium Density Fibreboard And Plywood, Their Findings Are Not Directly Applicable To Ethiopia Due To The Significant Influence Of Regional Factors On Embodied Carbon Values. The Sample Product Selection Used A Purposive Method During The Preliminary Research, Where These Materials' Most Widely Used Products Were Identified. Following The Identification Of The Products And Their Respective Manufacturers, Primary Data On Input And Output Were Collected From The Manufacturing Plants. For The Medium Density Fibreboard, The Plant Was Located At Kombolcha, South Wollo. The Plywood Plant Is Located In Burayu, Sheger City. Then The Study Assessed The Embodied Carbon Of The Materials Through Gate-To-Gate Life Cycle Assessment As Per The ISO 14040/44 Standard. This System Boundary Ensured Data Accuracy And Quality Within Limited Resources, Such As Time. Life Cycle Inventory Analysis Was Carried Out As Per The Functional Unit Of 1 M?? For Other Materials. The Inventory Data Was Then Analyzed Through The Openlca Software Using The Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change- Global Warming Potential Impact Category Indicator. The Result Of The Life Cycle Assessment Indicated That The Embodied Carbon Of Medium Density Fibreboard Is 285.95 Kgco2eq And Plywood Is 128.31 Kgco2eq. Medium Density Fibreboard Has A 122.86% Greater Value Than Plywood's. The Main Reasons For This Difference Are The Types And Amounts Of Chemicals Used And The Energy Used. The Results Of Both Materials Are Low Compared To Other Countries?�? Results. That Is Because The Energy Source Used In Both Cases Was Hydropower, Which Has A Significantly Lower Carbon Impact Than Other Energy Sources Like Coal. Generally, In Cases Where The Two Materials Can Be Used Alternatively, Designers Should Select Plywood Over Medium Density Fibreboard.