*4.4. Finland*

In Finland, concrete types are assigned to classes depending on the associated CO2 emissions. The classification system covers a total of 16 different concrete types and a total of 5 different low-carbon classes [12]. The classification is assigned separately for each concrete mix and concrete plant. Concrete manufacturers can assign the concrete mix recipes of their choice to low-carbon classes, provided the emission value of the mix meets the classification requirements.

Low-carbon classes are indicated as GWP.NN, where GWP stands for global warming potential and NN indicates the emission level in comparison with the reference level. The reference level is given for each type of concrete as the average emission level of Finnish concrete manufacturers in 2021. Table 8 shows selected section of the Concrete Association of Finland (BY) low-carbon classes. The GWPtotal values include modules A1–A3. The values are given in kg (GWPtotal)/m<sup>3</sup> of concrete. As the table is rather extensive, sections relevant for the demonstration series are present in Table 8.


**Table 8.** Concrete types included in the BY low-carbon classification and limit values for low-carbon classes in Finland [12].

#### **5. Application of Classification Systems to Demonstration Series**

The demonstration series of one reference mix and two LCC mixes was classified according to systems from all four countries: Norway (NO: NB37), Sweden (SE: SCI), Iceland (IS: LKS), and Finland (FI: LC class), see Table 9. Several benefits and limitations for all systems were identified. As the carbon footprint for the demonstration series was evaluated in two different locations, 6 EPDs were classified.

**Table 9.** Classification of demonstration series according to LCC guidelines of NO, SE, IS, and FI.


Prepared concrete mixes were air-entrained with a minimum cube strength of 55 MPa after 28 days. According to the individual systems, the demonstration series was classified as B45 in NO: NB37; in SE:SCI classified as 5. House Outside, salt (For example. Car park, external stairs, loft passage, plinth, an outer wall near the coast). The Icelandic system does not distinguish any strength or exposure classes and is only informative.According to Finish system, FI:LC, was demonstration series classified as C45/55—Air-entrained. Demonstration LCC improved in most cases by 2–3 classes, which shows very good environmental potential for newly designed concrete types.

In all systems besides NO:NB37, the REF mix was classified in different classes due to the 12.6% (42 kg CO2—eqv. per 1 m3 of concrete) difference based on the production plant (NB or HGB). According to NO:NB37, REF belongs to the "industry reference" class, as the limit for a subsequent class B is 290 kg CO2—eqv. per 1 m<sup>3</sup> of concrete.

The C45/55 LCC1 produced in both plants fits in the same class in all systems. The difference between producers was 18 kg CO2—eqv. per 1 m<sup>3</sup> of concrete, and the limits for all countries were between 220 and 200 kg CO2—eqv. per 1 m3 of concrete. The lower EPD for LCC1 produced in NB is mainly due to the transport method and distance for limestone powder.

Classification of C45/55 LCC2 was more variable as HGB managed to have EPD value below 150 kg CO2—eqv. per 1 m3 of concrete, which is a common level for IS: LKS and FI: LC class. In addition, in NO:NB37 system, LCC2 fit in lower class "Lavkarbon Pluss" with a limit 170 kg CO2—eqv. per 1 m<sup>3</sup> of concrete. The Swedish system´s highest class has a limit of 205 kg CO2—eqv. per 1 m<sup>3</sup> of concrete, with which both LCCs complied regardless of producer. Transportation method and distance are the main reasons for the low EPD value of LCC2 produced in HGB, as cement and fly ash are transported only 95 km by trucks compared to 200 km to NB by coastal barge.
