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Life Cycle Analysis
Apart from product performance, the environmental aspects and production costs are key determinants for the commercial viability of a product.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an assessment of environmental impacts and techno-economic analyses can help to shed light on these aspects.
LCA is used by EPNOE to support ongoing R&D, to underpin the need for new research and possibly also to support decisions about directions in R&D.
Three studies were conducted by EPNOE partners:
- General prospective study on bioplastics at the 2020 horizon called "Product overview and market projection of emerging bio-based plastics", performed by Martin Patel’s group (Utrecht University), financed together with European Bioplastics. This study is downloadable below (PROBIP 2009 study). The previous study called "Techno-economic Feasibility of Large-scale Production of Bio-based Polymers in Europe" (PRO-BIP 2005) is also downloadable below.
- Market study on main polysaccharides, performed by Danuta Ciechanska’s group (IBWCh, Lodz) and Hans Schepers (University of Wageningen). Not yet available.
- Description and market study on less common polysaccharides, performed by Jan van Dam (University of Wageningen). Study only available for Business and Industry Club members.
Download below:
- "Techno-economic Feasibility of Large-scale Production of Bio-based Polymers in Europe" (PRO-BIP 2005)
- "Product overview and market projection of emerging bio-based plastics" (PRO-BIP 2009)
PROBIP 2005.pdf 2.17 MB
PROBIP2009 Final June 2009.pdf 1.50 MB