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Title Life cycle environmental impact assessment of titanium dioxide production in China
ID_Doc 8681
Authors Dai, Y; Dong, HJ; Sun, LX; Li, JZ; Zhang, TY; Geng, Y; Liu, Z
Title Life cycle environmental impact assessment of titanium dioxide production in China
Year 2024
Published
DOI 10.1016/j.eiar.2023.107412
Abstract Titanium dioxide (TiO2), a widely used superior and versatile material, has imposed considerable energy and environmental impacts with its increasing demand and production. To guarantee the sustainable development of TiO2, this study assesses and forecasts the multiple environmental impacts of two mainstream TiO2 production technologies using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method. Results show that toxicity is the dominant environmental impact caused by TiO2 production. The chloride route has better environmental performance than the sulphate route except for global warming. Sulfuric acid, electricity, and steam are the key factors contributing to environmental burdens. Production of TiO2 pigment is the key stage to cause environmental impact for the sulphate route, whereas, the production of high-titanium slag and TiO2 pigment are dominant stages for the chloride route. Nonrenewable-fossil is the largest source of cumulative energy demand (CED) consumption in both routes. Therefore, scenarios on renewable electricity transition under carbon neutral target and enhancing chloride route are simulated, revealing a 43% reduction of environmental impact mitigation potential. Finally, policy implications on the transition to renewable energy, chloride technology, and circular economy for TiO2 production are proposed.
Author Keywords Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) production; Life cycle assessment; Chloride route; Sulphate route; Cumulative energy demand (CED)
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Social Science Citation Index (SSCI)
EID WOS:001164807800001
WoS Category Environmental Studies
Research Area Environmental Sciences & Ecology
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