A methodology for integrating the biomass balance approach into life cycle assessment with an application in the chemicals sector.

Driven by the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil resources, the chemical and other industries are gradually starting to develop bio-based products. For the introduction of bio-feedstocks in existing production pathways in a cost-effective way, a simplified approach based on mass balance has been proposed. This concept is known as the biomass balance (BMB) approach and the resulting products are called BMB products. They do not necessarily contain biomass material but can contribute to sustainable sourcing and production of bio-based products in the supply chain without any performance loss in comparison to the same products derived from fossil resources. The aim of the study is to show how the BMB approach can be used in life cycle assessment (LCA) while following the requirements set out in the ISO 14040 and 14044 standards. To demonstrate that, the proposed BMB approach has been used to estimate life cycle environmental impacts of a polymer product, which can be produced using fossil or bio-feedstocks. For the polymer derived from bio-feedstocks, bio-naphtha and biogas are considered as replacement to naphtha and its impacts are compared with the fossil-based alternative. The paper demonstrates that the BMB approach provides a quick and pragmatic method for establishing the biomass content in chemical and related products while incentivising the industry to continue increasing the proportion of bio-based products in their product portfolio. It also shows that the environmental performance of BMB products is highly dependent on the particular bio-feedstock used, the way it is sourced and on key modelling assumptions, including the assumptions on biogenic carbon uptake in the bio-feedstocks.

Industrial applications using BASF eco-efficiency analysis: perspectives on green engineering principles.

Life without chemicals would be inconceivable, but the potential risks and impacts to the environment associated with chemical production and chemical products are viewed critically. Eco-efficiency analysis considers the economic and life cycle environmental effects of a product or process, giving these equal weighting. The major elements of the environmental assessment include primary energy use, raw materials utilization, emissions to all media, toxicity, safety risk, and land use. The relevance of each environmental category and also for the economic versus the environmental impacts is evaluated using national emissions and economic data. The eco-efficiency analysis method of BASF is briefly presented, and results from three applications to chemical processes and products are summarized. Through these applications, the eco-efficiency analyses mostly confirm the 12 Principles listed in Anastas and Zimmerman (Environ. Sci. Technol. 2003, 37(5), 94A), with the exception that, in one application, production systems based on bio-based feedstocks were not the most eco-efficient as compared to those based on fossil resources. Over 180 eco-efficiency analyses have been conducted at BASF, and their results have been used to support strategic decision-making, marketing, research and development, and communication with external parties. Eco-efficiency analysis, as one important strategy and success factor in sustainable development, will continue to be a very strong operational tool at BASF.