Materials New LCA
Materials New LCA NatureWorks and Thinkstep adhere to ISO standards for revision of Ingeo eco profile In the first update of the Ingeo eco profile since 2010, Nature‐ Works partnered with Thinkstep (PE INTERNATIONAL) and followed ISO 14040 and 14044 standards to ensure accurate calculations. Subsequently, NatureWorks submitted a paper on the revised eco profile for peer review. The paper, “Life Cycle Inventory and Impact Assessment Data for 2014 Ingeo Polylactide Production,” was recently published in Industrial Biotechnology magazine (and can be downloaded from bit.ly/1FcKPv4). “The peer reviewed paper provides a detailed description of the different steps in the Ingeo production chain and how the final data were calculated,” said Erwin T. H. Vink, Environmental Affairs Manager, NatureWorks. The article documents the energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) inputs and outputs of the Ingeo PLA production system, the revised eco‐profile, and the calculation and evaluation of a comprehensive set of environmental indicators. The paper also addresses other topics such as land use, land use change, and water use. While the Ingeo manufacturing process remains the same since the last calculation of the profile, the life cycle assessment (LCA) software modeling tools have changed and now provide extensively broadened LCA databases and datasets. With this new data, a more up‐to‐date and accurate picture of GHG emissions, energy consumption, and other commonly used indicators in an LCA can be drawn. NatureWorks based the update on Thinkstep´s GaBi6.3 modeling software. Thinkstep subsequently reviewed the methodology used and determined that the LCA process was scientifically and technically valid and consistent with ISO 14040 and 14044 standards for conducting LCAs. Cradle‐to‐gate greenhouse gas emissions The charts compare the GHG emissions (including biogenic carbon uptake in the case of Ingeo) for Ingeo manufacture with the emissions resulting from the manufacture of a number of different polymers produced in the USA and Europe using the latest available industry assessments for each as well as non‐renewable energy consumption for those polymers. The numbers represent the totals for the first part of the life cycle of the polymers, starting with fossil or renewable feedstock production up to and including the final polymerization step. Primary energy of non‐renewable resources To help brand owners and researchers directly use this life cycle assessment data, NatureWorks has developed and made available on their website an in‐depth analysis of environmental benefits calculation, which provides extensive background and links to additional sources of information. NatureWorks has also developed an online calculator for comparing the net GHG emissions and the nonrenewable energy use of products made with different plastic types. The online calculator provides an intuitive interface from which manufacturers and brands can input product data details and receive instantaneous feedback on the environmental impact of the materials they are using 1 . MT www.natureworksllc.com 1 The tool provides a good qualitative insight into how two polymers compare. For a definite, quantitative comparison, the LCA tool should be applied to compare finished products made from those polymers. Figure 1: Production greenhouse gas emissions including biogenic carbon uptake Figure 2: Primary energy of non‐renewable resources Ingeo PLA 0.62 US producers EU producers Ingeo PLA PVC 40.20 58.97 55.50 US producers EU producers PP 1.86 1.63 PP LDPE 75.90 77.10 83.50 81.50 PET 2.15 2.73 HDPE PET 70.15 69.00 78.20 GPPS 2.25 3.24 GPPS HIPS 82.26 95.05 96.05 86.43 ABS 3.81 3.80 ABS 104.69 PC 103.90 0 1 2 kg CO 2 eq./kg polymer 3 4 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 MJ/kg polymer 28 bioplastics MAGAZINE [05/15] Vol. 10
Materials Tomorrow is NOW! First 30 60 120 180 30 day days 60 days 120 180 days days Bioplastic for Paper Coating Naturally Compost . Recycle Excellent Heat sealability Heat resistance up to 100 C Runs well with LDPE machine *This test was conducted under natural condition in Bangkok, Thailand. Paper packaging coated with BioPBS can be disposed of along with organic waste. It is compostable without requiring a composting facility, and it has no adverse effects on the environment. BioPBS is revolutionary in its two-fold bio properties. Being essentially bio-based, BioPBS excels in biodegradability and compostability, providing green non-process changing solution to achieve better results in your manufacturing needs. Environmentally friendly, printable without pre-treatment and heat resistant while retaining the same material quality and machine processing speed as conventional materials. BioPBS improves the quality of your product while causing no harm to the environment. BioPBS is the long awaited ideal material for product containers and packaging. BioPBS coated paper is recyclable and repulpable at 96% yield certified by Western Michigan University. For more information info@pttmcc.com www.pttmcc.com PTT MCC Biochem Co., Ltd. A Joint Venture Company of PTT and Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation 555/2 Energy Complex Tower, Building B, 14th Floor, Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand T: +66 (0) 2 140 3555 I F: +66(0) 2 140 3556 I www.pttmcc.com bioplastics MAGAZINE [05/15] Vol. 10 29
