LCA from A to Z:

An example of biobased materials – Part B Quantitative

Olivier Jolliet, PhD
Learning Objectives

► Describe the objectives of each LCA phase

► Identify the most critical elements when comparing products
Quantitative: Life Cycle Assessment
SYSTEM
BOUNDARIES

GOAL & SCOPE

DEFINITION

NOX
INVENTORY OF
INTERPRETATION
CO2 EXTRACTIONS
& EMISSIONS
CO

IMPACT
ASSESSMENT
Renewable packing materials system boundaries
Emission and extraction inventory
Midpoint Damage Life Cycle Impact Assessment Framework

e.g. IMPACT 2002+, Int J LCA 8 (6), 324-330, Int J LCA 9 (6), 394-404
Popcorn compared to Polystyrene
Impacts per kg materials

By what factor is PS better than popcorn?

Polystyrene vs Popcorn

Popcorn is 3 to 4 times better than polystyrene!

Really?

By what factor is PS better than popcorn; Take a

critical view of how the assessment is performed –
how can it be improved or which representation
does not make sense here?
… but function is filling of package best represented by m 3

Popcorn is 4.6 times heavier than polystyrene!

Popcorn compared to Polystyrene
3
Impacts per m materials
Interpretation: Popcorn - Polystyrene

► Key parameters from an environmental point of view:

density, number of reuse, with 460% improvement!

► “Natural” is different from “environmentally friendly”

► Material function or service is essential

 synergy between technology, environment and economy
Summary
► Identified the LCA phases and their main objectives:
► The goal and scope definition phase to set up the problem and the way to address it
► The inventory to determine extractions and emissions per “functional” unit (here m 3)
► The impact assessment phase to make these different emissions comparable
► The interpretation phase to interpret results after each phase
► Recognize that
► Function is critical and a main point of departure for comparing products
► LCA enables us to go beyond – sometimes biased – intuition