| Title |
Quantifying the environmental implication of cotton-Fiber-based Nanocrystalline cellulose: A life-cycle assessment |
| ID_Doc |
18585 |
| Authors |
Rebec, KM; Turk, J; Kunaver, M |
| Title |
Quantifying the environmental implication of cotton-Fiber-based Nanocrystalline cellulose: A life-cycle assessment |
| Year |
2024 |
| Published |
|
| DOI |
10.1016/j.spc.2023.12.026 |
| Abstract |
Considering the increasing demand for nanocrystalline-cellulose in the industry, due to its exceptional physical and biological properties, cheaper and more efficient production processes are sought. Addressing environmental concerns, especially within the framework of EU policies, this study employs Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental performance of a novel nanocrystalline-cellulose production procedure, encompassing biomass depolymerization, rinsing, and bleaching. The LCA aims to identify environmental hotspots, explore mitigation measures, and enables comparisons with other LCA studies on nanocrystalline-cellulose. The results are calculated and reported for 19 environmental impact categories, using the ReCiPe 2016 impact assessment method. The production of 1 kg of dry nanocrystalline-cellulose using the novel process emits 63.7 kg CO2 equivalent, which is lower than the literature average (68 kg CO2 equivalent). The solvent (e.g. diethylene glycol) is the major contributor to the global warming potential and fossil-fuel depletion potential in the product stage of the nanocellulose, while the electricity requirements and glycerin represent environmental hotspots regarding 15 of the 19 impact categories assessed. In terms of the water-consumption potential, the environmental hotspot is production of raw materials (e.g. cotton fibers). Electricity contributes more than 50 % of the burden to the impact categories associated with ionizing radiation, the pollution of aquatic ecosystems and human toxicity related to cancer. It also holds a significant share of the burdens for terrestrial acidification (48 % of the impact), the formation of fine particulate matter (46 % of the impact), and human toxicity related to noncancer diseases (37 % of the impact). This underscores the importance of optimizing the production process, possibly through upscaling. Additionally, incorporating on-site renewable energy sources and utilizing biomassderived diethylene glycol can enhance the environmental performance of nanocrystalline-cellulose. |
| Author Keywords |
LCA; Cascade use; Cellulose nanocrystals; Pilot production; Environmental performance |
| Index Keywords |
Index Keywords |
| Document Type |
Other |
| Open Access |
Open Access |
| Source |
Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED); Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) |
| EID |
WOS:001164095600001 |
| WoS Category |
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology; Environmental Studies |
| Research Area |
Science & Technology - Other Topics; Environmental Sciences & Ecology |
| PDF |
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2023.12.026
|