TNO sustainability assessment methodology references for the chemical sector

Transcription

1 TNO sustainability assessment methodology references for the chemical sector TNO has executed a lot of studies/research in the following areas: - Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of many products, materials and production chains, such as plastics (including end-of-life scenarios) - Eco-efficiency analyses (combination of environmental and economic analyses) of many products, materials and production chains, such as plastics - Sustainability analyses of production chains and production networks, also combinations of chemical materials and products containing chemical materials - Development of models to calculate the environmental impact of several production, product and market alternatives regarding competitive systems - Strategic assessments of future, innovative (technological) developments and scenarios - Reuse, recycling, recovery of products and materials - End-of-Life assessment (for products and materials), including innovations for end-of-life scenarios The following example key studies carried out, are strongly related to the chemical sector: LCA of different types of packaging LCA Environmental impact assessment of packaging policies; Knowledge center for sustainable packaging (KIDV); 2015 The study evaluates the environmental impact of implementation of the framework agreement of the Dutch packaging industry through a life cycle approach. The study provides insight in the environmental impacts of different types of packaging policies. Eco efficiency of PHB material; PHBottle EU FP7; 2015 This project aims at the development of sustainable, functionalized and competitive PHB material based in fruit by products getting advanced solutions for packaging and non-packaging applications. An environmental and economic impact assessment is conducted to show the environmental and economic impact of the PHB material compared to its fossil alternatives. LICARA nano SCAN; EU FP7; 2014 In this project a methodology is developed to assess the environmental and health impact of nano materials based on a life cycle approach. The methodology provides insights in the benefits and risks of nanoproducts. 1 of 5

2 LCA different types of carrier bags; Knowledge center for sustainable packaging (KIDV); 2014 The aim of this study is to compare twenty different types of carrierbags used for shopping. The study includes a comparison of the entire life cycle of the following materials; paper, cotton, jute, biobased plastics, fossil based plastics. LCA of Industrial Rayon Fibers; for fiber manufacturer; 2011 The study is a cradle to gate study, which means that all inputs and outputs from raw materials extraction up to the outgoing gate of the company are assessed for their environmental impact, regarding the production of industrial rayon fiber. For the producer it gives several opportunities to realize a serious decrease of the environmental impact with the help of technical and energy based improvements regarding resources and applied processes. Modular LCA of several pulp and fiber spinning processes; natural based fiber manufacturer AG; 2011 So the objective of the research were to carry out a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of various pulp and spinning processes. The results are available in a modular format; as such the company will be able to mix and match pulp and spinning processes in order to produce various combinations, including the needed transports, with the aim to reduce the environmental impact. Practical tests have enlarged the insight of our customer regarding the application opportunities. Exploring study regarding a sustainability label for sporting grounds;; 2011 The aim is to introduce a sustainability label for sporting grounds. With the help of this label designers and manufacturers of playing ground materials will be stimulated to decrease the environmental impact and to improve the sustainability performance of the offered systems. For soccer playing grounds the methodology and approach is tested. Especially the designers and manufacturers of synthetic grass playing fields are interested and see this as an opportunity to innovate their designs and system approaches. The study results give the drive to enlarge this approach to other kinds of playing grounds. LCA of fibers made from recycled PET; for leading PET fiber manufacturer; 2010 One of the company s latest efforts to improve the sustainability of their products includes an investment in recycling technology whereby polymer, based on postconsumer PET, is transformed through a state-of-the-art manufacturing process into high quality polyester fiber. With the help of a peer-reviewed LCA study it is shown that the application of secondary PET results in a reasonable improvement of the environmental profile. A strong reduction in the use of Non Renewable Energy Sources and the corresponding Global Warming Potential are among others the reasons to continue with technological improvements and alternatives. 2 of 5

3 Design and calculation of Eco-profiles of several conversion processes of the European plastics industry; for Plastics Europe; 2010 Plastics Europe publishes Eco-profiles of several process steps leading to plastic products. For the production of plastic products the conversion process is the step between polymer production and final product itself. With the help of average industry data the Eco-profiles of conversion processes are provided. It includes the conversion processes to plastic packaging products. Sustainable Portfolio Management; for major chemical manufacturer, 2009 The objective of the project was to develop a methodology that assists our customer in shaping a portfolio that generates profit in a sustainable manner. The tool and methodology for Sustainable Portfolio Management combines operations vulnerability assessment and market alignment assessment. The operations vulnerability assessment is related to products and covers the cradle to gate impact; the market alignment assessment is related to specific end-use applications, it is a gate to grave scope and it illustrates solutions in the company s product value chain. The combined assessment results are plotted in a sustainability portfolio management map. Environmental footprint and environmentally based improvement options for PVC containing products; for Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment; 2009 The environmental impact of PVC for each step in several PVC production and application chains is analyzed and evaluated. Also the relations with the way of end-of-life processing are illustrated. Based on the results of a dominance analysis and of a stakeholder analysis recommendations are given to decrease the environmental impact to a substantial degree. The environmental effects of these recommendations are quantified and the actions to be taken are described, including an opportunity indication. Evaluation of a company s Sustainability Screening method; for major chemical company; 2008 The method is well equipped for sustainability screening in most industrial sectors to support internal discussion and decision making on strategic issues. The method can be regarded as very complete, covering many different sustainability aspects. A strengths/weaknesses analysis have resulted in positive conclusions and the recommendations include a continuation with minor improvements and practical testing. Research and evaluation of the Dutch take back system for plastic window profiles; for the Foundation of the recycling of plastic window profiles; 2008 In The Netherlands a take back system is running with responsibility of the foundation regarding the impact and results of the take back. The collection structure and quantities, the way of recycling, recycling capacities, the take back costs were evaluated. The conclusions and recommendations are the base for future improvements of the take back structure. With the help of these suggestions the foundation has formulated further activities and implementation routes. 3 of 5

4 Development of Methods for Indicators for Sustainable Multi-scale Process Designs (INSPECT); for EU Research IMPULSE (KP 7); 2007 TNO has developed and tested a (semi) quantitative method to assess the sustainability of multiscale chemical processes in different design stages. A set of indicators and assessment tools have been developed for three aspects, economics, environment and safety/health. Moreover a method and weight factors are selected and developed to integrate the different sustainability aspects into a single sustainability indicator: the INSPECT tool (INtegrated Sustainability Process Evaluation and Calculation Tool). The comparison of new processing structures (new architecture such as flexible process devices, new equipment, such as programmable reactors and local (portable) process control) with existing ones is possible with INSPECT. Overview of the development of technologies for the improvement of the recycling of plastics; for the Dutch branch organization of plastic recycling companies; 2007 For the Dutch branch organization of plastics recycling an inventory and evaluation is carried out regarding future recycling technologies. Developments are recognized regarding sorting machines( such as the combination of sorting principles, as form, color, polymer sort), in cleaning operations (such as the combination of friction, detergents, temperature and selective solution), in filtration before regranulation and in the separation of fire retardants. Also Design for Recycling guidelines are derived. Microalgae biofixation processes: Applications and potential contributions to greenhouse gas mitigation options; for EniTecnologie; 2006 The report provides an independent assessment of the applications and potential contributions to greenhouse gas abatement of microalgae biofixation processes. This biofixation is potentially a globally significant and economically viable technology in warmer and sunnier regions of the world, mostly developing countries. Near-term applications are in conjunction with wastewater treatment and fertilizer recycling and production. It could provide a real abatement of CO2 by In the mid-term, within 15 to 20 years, processes might be developed that integrate biofuels production with higher value/large market co-products, such as biopolymers and animal feeds. In the longer-term dedicated biofuels-only production processes may be feasible. Environmental assessment of the production of mineral and synthetic hydraulic oil; for hydraulic oil manufacturer; 2006 The results of a Life Cycle Assessment study, regarding the comparison of mineral hydraulic oil and synthetic hydraulic oil give more insight in which ways the environmental impact of these products can be improved. Separation and upgrading of resources, chemical reaction processes, energy consumption and other processes are evaluated and recommendations for improvements are given. Results of sensitivity analyses support these recommendations. 4 of 5

5 Comparative environmental analysis of one-way and refillable PET bottles; for retailer; 2004 The comparison of the one-way and refillable 1.5 l PET bottle shows that the light weight of the one-way bottle has a positive influence on its environmental performance. The results of the environmental impact assessments show that there are no significant differences between both systems. The location of the bottler (filling in The Netherlands versus filing in Germany) has no significant influence on the results and conclusion. Quantitative environmental aspects of a selection of coatings; for coating manufacturer; 2002 Three coatings, a solvent based basecoat, a waterborne basecoat and a high solid basecoat are compared regarding the environmental impact. The application of the paint is an essential phase regarding the whole life cycle. The abatement of emissions and reduction of energy use are specific items of concern. Technical improvement options are the base for further improvement. Eco-efficiency of routes for selected WEEE (Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment) products containing plastics; for PlasticsEurope; 2002 The overall objective is to decrease the environmental load and to improve the economical impact of the take back and end-of-life processing of plastics containing discarded electrical and electronic goods. The study presents an overview of the eco-efficiency (environmental impact versus economic impact) of model routes (based on actual practice) of the selected EEE products refrigerator, television set and mobile phone (as representatives of different groups). The model routes include collection, preprocessing, recycling of metals and glass, mechanical recycling/feedstock recycling/energy recovery of plastics and residues incineration. The outcome of the calculations show that dependent on the kind and composition of the EEE products specific end-of-life routes can or will be selected. With the results of model calculations PlasticsEurope can perform interactive discussions with opinion formers and policy makers, especially regarding the contents and the actualization of the EU WEEE Directive. 5 of 5