The application of life cycle assessments (LCA's) in the chemical industry

Abstract

The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology can be applied in various stages - especially conceptual design and IS0 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) implementation - in order to add value and incorporate environmental concerns in the chemical industry to improve the overall environmental performance. The LCA methodology was successful in identifying the environmental issues of the conceptual design case study for future environmental focus in the conceptual project, taking into account the limited detail data available so early in the project life cycle. The LCA was even more successful in identifying the major environmental impacts and aspects of different process units relative to each other in the implementation of an IS0 14001 Environmental Management System due to the availability of more detail data from actual analyses and measurements. Only environmental problem identification, focus and priorities are given by the LCA, while the severity of the potential impacts is not determined.