Environmental Sustainability in Composite Shipbuilding: Assessing the Environmental and Worker Health Impacts of Raw Materials in Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Structures

The study introduces the raw materials used in single-skin laminates (fiberglass and polyester resin) and sandwich structures (adding PVC foam). It compares their environmental impacts and worker health risks during the manufacturing phase using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Results indicate that sandwich structures, despite using hazardous PVC foam, offer significant environmental benefits, reducing weight, emissions, and health risks compared to single-skin laminates. This research highlights the potential of sandwich structures as a more sustainable alternative in shipbuilding.