Environmental analysis of plastic production processes:: Comparing petroleum-based polypropylene and polyethylene with biologically-based poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid using life cycle analysis
Environmental analysis of plastic production processes:: Comparing petroleum-based polypropylene and polyethylene with biologically-based poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid using life cycle analysis
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DOI：
10.1016/j.jbiotec.2007.02.012
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发表时间：
2007-05-31
影响因子：
4.1
通讯作者：
Harrison, S. T. L.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Harding, K. G.;Dennis, J. S.;Harrison, S. T. L.
基于烯烃的聚合物具有广泛的商业适用性。然而，它们是由不可再生资源制成的，并且在回收和再利用不可行的情况下难以处置。聚-β-羟基丁酸（PHB）提供了由可再生资源制成的聚合物的一个实例。在促进其广泛使用之前，必须权衡可再生聚合物的优点及其生产的环境方面。以前关于石油和生物塑料对环境影响的研究集中在全球变暖和化石燃料消耗的影响类别上。从摇篮到坟墓的研究报告，与同等聚烯烃工艺相比，全球变暖影响等同或降低。这源于可再生资源的二氧化碳中性状态。事实上，没有以前的工作报告的结果，生命周期评估（LCA）给环境影响的所有主要类别。本研究调查了一个摇篮到门的生命周期评估的聚羟基丁酸生产考虑到净二氧化碳的产生和所有主要的影响类别。它比较了聚丙烯（PP）和聚乙烯（PE）的类似研究结果。结果表明，在所有的生命周期类别中，聚羟基丁酸酯是上级优于聚丙烯。能源需求略低于以前观察到的，并显着低于聚烯烃生产。在酸化和富营养化方面，PE的影响低于PHB值。(C)2007 Elsevier B. V.保留所有权利。
Polymers based on olefins have wide commercial applicability. However, they are made from non-renewable resources and are characterised by difficulty in disposal where recycle and re-use is not feasible. Poly-beta-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB) provides one example of a polymer made from renewable resources. Before motivating its widespread use, the advantages of a renewable polymer must be weighed against the environmental aspects of its production. Previous studies relating the environmental impacts of petroleum-based and bio-plastics have centred on the impact categories of global warming and fossil fuel depletion. Cradle-to-grave studies report equivalent or reduced global warming impacts, in comparison to equivalent polyolefin processes. This stems from a perceived CO2 neutral status of the renewable resource. Indeed, no previous work has reported the results of a life cycle assessment (LCA) giving the environmental impacts in all major categories. This study investigates a cradle-to-gate LCA of PHB production taking into account net CO2 generation and all major impact categories. It compares the findings with similar studies of polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE). It is found that, in all of the life cycle categories, PHB is superior to PP. Energy requirements are slightly lower than previously observed and significantly lower than those for polyolefin production. PE impacts are lower than PHB values in acidification and eutrophication. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.