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Life cycle gap analysis (LCGA) is a specific technique to interpret life cycle assessment (LCA) results from a circular economy (CE) perspective in order to identify potentials to further improve a product's sustainability. This paper conceptualizes an extension of the methodology by integrating cost assessments. The visualization of the final results in an eco-efficiency diagram indicates barriers and drivers of business models for circular and sustainable products. It therefore supports engineers, product designers and researchers in analyzing the consequences of their innovations and solutions regarding both the vision of CE and sustainable life cycle systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study provides an overview of the research focus on vacuum insulation panels (VIPs). Scientific literature published between 1960 and 2022 is identified, and a database covering 423 documents is amassed. In the first phase, research documents were categorised into three groups: product, other and buildings. In the second phase, data about the studied building applications and research topics were extracted and quantitatively evaluated. In the last phase, the studies evaluating VIPs' environmental and economic implications in buildings were analysed in detail. The study results show an increasing publication trend on VIPs, with almost 90% of the literature published from 2010 onwards. Building applications are the dominant research subject, representing 56% of identified documents. A detailed analysis of life cycle studies pointed to a consensus that in building applications, fumed silica VIPs exert a higher environmental impact and costs than conventional insulation materials if the comparison is based on an equivalent thermal transmittance value. However, several studies showed reasonable payback and environmental neutrality periods for retrofitting scenarios. Benefits could also be achieved if insulation layer thickness is limited. External wall insulation represents the vast majority of the applications analysed. Studies further showed that VIPs in external wall applications could be economically viable compared to conventional insulation if added useable floor space is considered. The characteristics of life cycle studies were analysed, research gaps and possibilities were identified, and research recommendations for environmental and economic studies of VIPs were provided. [Display omitted] • Research highlights and trends for past research on VIPs are presented. • 56% of studies evaluate building applications, 87% documents published after 2009. • Detailed analysis of LCA and LCC studies and multiple findings highlighted. • Recommendations for future life cycle studies of VIPs presented. • A database file of amassed documents generated and made publicly available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) is a tool to assess sustainability from a life cycle perspective, which has been receiving increased attention over the years. This work presents a systematic review of the current application of LCSA, presenting the foundations, main methods, current operationalization state, and major challenges to its broad implementation. The review protocol considered the search of keywords in Scopus and Web of Science databases. The search has considered the literature published or in the press until December 2018, resulting in the selection of 144 articles written in English. Of those, 71 articles operationalize LCSA in real case studies, while the remaining consist of review, viewpoint, and methodological development articles. This review demonstrates that the use of LCSA has been increasing in recent years. Today, the most applied approach is to consider LCSA as the sum of life cycle assessment, life cycle costing, and social life cycle assessment because it is built on the methodologies that already exist and are under continuous development. However, the lack of harmonization of the methodology is a central challenge to its operationalization. Therefore, LCSA still requires further improvement in, among others, definition of coherent system boundaries, the development of robust databases to allow the assessment of economic and social perspectives, definition of impact categories that allow comparability between studies, development of impact assessment methods, development of methods to carry out uncertainty analysis, and communication strategies. Besides, further case studies should be developed to support the improvement of the methodology and a better understanding of the interaction of the environmental, economic, and social aspects. Unlabelled Image • There are several approaches to conduct LCSA. • LCSA = LCA + LCC + SLCA is the most used approach. • Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) methods are widely used to assess LCSA. • Methodological challenges for operationalization of LCSA are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract To establish a bioeconomy, the demand for renewable resources like wood is likely to increase. To satisfy the demand, cascading, i.e. the sequential use of one unit of a resource in multiple applications with energy recovery as the final step, is a key concept to improve the efficiency of wood utilization. Today, the systematic wood cascading is still in its infancies and limited to the downcycling of wood, i.e. the degradation of material quality. New recycling technologies are needed, which maintain the material quality at the beginning of the cascade chain and mobilize yet unused resources. Therefore, a new recycling technology for recovered solid wood from construction into glued laminated timber products was developed. 1 1 The process was developed in the research project 'Cascading Recovered Wood — CaReWood', funded within the European WoodWisdom-Net Research Programme. To identify the environmental and economic performance of the process, the eco-efficiency was assessed by the joint application of life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC). As reference system, the incineration of the recovered wood was analyzed, representing the common treatment for recovered wood from construction in Germany. System expansion was applied to solve multifunctionality. The results indicate that the recycling of recovered wood into glued laminated timber products is environmentally and economically viable and offers possibility for the production of value added products. The recycling further shows up to 29% of lower environmental impacts and 32% of lower costs compared to the incineration, if system expansion is based on wood energy. The operational processes required for the solid wood cascading are of minor relevance for the economic and environmental performance. Instead, primary technologies like glue lamination and the incineration are key drivers. In all considered scenarios, the material recycling has a 15–150% higher eco-efficiency compared to the incineration. In conclusion, the further development for the practical implementation of the recycling process is recommended to enhance the implementation of the cascading concept. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The integration of an off-grid solar-assisted heat pump (SHP) and a sequencing batch biofilter granular reactor (SBBGR) for thermal energy recovery from wastewater was assessed by means of a prospective life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC), by theoretically scaling up a pilot installation in Bari, Italy, to a full-scale unit designed for 5000 person-equivalents. The LCA and LCC included all activities in the life cycle of the SHP and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), namely construction, operation and end-of-life. The thermal energy produced by the SHP was assessed as supplying heating and cooling for an air-conditioning system, displacing a conventional air-source heat pump powered by electricity from the grid. This integrated system was compared to a reference situation where wastewater is treated in a conventional WWTP applying activated sludge with no thermal energy recovery system, showing clear environmental benefits in all impact indicators, such as a 42% reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions and a cost reduction of 53%. Several sensitivity analyses confirmed these findings, with the exception of the price rebound effect, which showed that the lower cost of the integrated system could lead to overturning the environmental benefits. As a limitation of the study, the distribution of the supplied air-conditioning to meet a demand off-site the WWTP premises, such as in residential buildings or hotels, was not included. Therefore, our results constitute only a preliminary positive outcome that should be validated in a real-life application. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • A solar-assisted heat pump (SHP) coupled to a sequencing batch biofilter granular reactor supplies an air-conditioning system. • Life cycle assessment and life cycle costing were applied to a scaled-up unit treating sewage for 5000 person-equivalents. • Results show environmental benefits, such as a greenhouse-gas emission reduction by 42% compared to a reference situation. • Life cycle costs are reduced by 53%, leading to an estimated saving of 27€/person-equivalent/year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The automotive industry has striven for fuel economy and resource efficiency through the deployment of powder metallurgy (PM) manufacturing processes for few decades. However, PM technology for transmission gears is currently only used at a small scale within the automotive industry. This is mainly due to: its shortcomings in material properties and performance gaps for final parts; lack of advancement in pressing technologies (dimensional limitation); lack of data availability (e.g. on materials, load capacity calculations; gear design experimental confirmation); premature failed attempts on PM gears; economics of scale and large initial capital investments. This article reviews the current state of the art of PM gear manufacturing technology highlighting an important gap in technical and financial data availability for PM gear economic analysis. Thus, this study seeks to give some empirical evidence of the economic aspects of PM gear manufacturing. Data availability is still the major challenge with respect to PM cost calculations thus further studies are needed to quantify both the economic and non-economic benefits e.g., sustainability, noise vibration harshness (NVH) of PM adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, the use of a wide variety of materials is a result of the increasingly complex multi-material design regarding the key challenge of stricter environmental regulations in the automotive sector while facing equivalent or even enhanced technical and economic benefits. Modern joining technologies additionally contribute to this challenge, whereby technologies for structural metal structures seem to be established. Examinations – which are very costly also in terms of time – are required to ensure the feasibility of a joining technology. However, historical data is not sufficiently available for multi-material design. Hence, this research presents a novel prediction-model for an improved decision-making of joining technologies, which interpolates potentials of still untested joining technologies in the early stage of lightweight engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even if practitioners want to adopt new manufacturing technologies, there is a lack of comprehensive tools to support their decisions, regarding both cost and sustainability. This paper reviews and compares the practical use of Life Cycle Costing (LCC) with a performance part costing (PPC) model, chosen based upon the criteria of providing in-depth analysis capabilities and the prospect of integrating cost and sustainability assessment. A case study of a Swedish gear manufacturer is selected, where the company investigates adoption of a new manufacturing technology. Since, this type of decision requires heavy investments e.g. in new machines, tools, linking performance with costs would be a prerequisite for performing well-informed decisions. Based on interviews, the level of detail requirements e.g., performance indicators, when acquiring new technologies are identified. LCC model cost parameters are compared with the PPC cost drivers and the data availability and estimation are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous literature reviews on life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) have delved into methodology, case studies, reviews, and discussions on indicators and integration. However, there has been a limited focus on redefining the economic dimension of the LCSA framework and addressing challenges at lower technological readiness levels (TRL) for emerging technologies. This study fills this gap by concentrating on the economic dimension of LCSA and its application to emerging technologies. We introduce innovative suggestions for expanding the traditional Life Cycle Costing (LCC) method to incorporate costs concerning various stakeholders and introduce tangible indicators suitable for diverse stakeholder groups. Our research also categorizes emerging technologies based on TRL within LCSA, highlighting the significant impacts and data sources. Two primary areas of recommendations emerged: 1) For emerging technologies, we emphasize using diverse data sources, the importance of uncertainty and sensitivity analyses, and the need for accurate characterization factors. 2) On the economic front, we advocate for an expanded LCC approach, the potential of Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA), and the exploration of ties between micro and macroeconomic dimensions. • There is no consensus to assess the economic dimension in LCSA. • Convention LCC is the most used approach for assessing the economic dimension in LCSA. • Methodological challenges for assessing LCSA of emerging technologies are identified. • A conceptually grounded framework for operationalization within LCSA is still missing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Internet of Things (IoT) brings new opportunities for creating intelligent and streamlined supply chains that have better environmental and cost performance as compared to conventional ones. In this paper, we quantify such improvements for a specific logistics chain case. To support the inventory of cost and emission data, we utilize system dynamics (SD) and agent-based modeling (AB) to define the structure of the two logistical systems, simulating and estimating differences in e.g., required storage levels, efficiency of transport, etc. In particular, we assess the difference in carbon emissions, cost, and market performance of a battery delivery chain in the delivery process between a two-tier IoT-supported supply chain (users are served by an IoT retailer directly connected to the producer) and a conventional three-tier supply chain (include an additional wholesaler to connect retailer and producer). The results demonstrate that IoT supply chains have significant advantages in minimizing average product storage and shipment fluctuations. IoT suppliers can estimate market demand to adjust production and transportation strategies for new orders. Consequently, the overall profitability of the IoT supply chain increases by more than 30%. Heating and lighting emissions in the storage process and direct emissions in transportation per functional unit (one unit of a Li-ion cell module) are reduced by 60%–70% under middle- and low-demand scenarios, and by at least 50% under high-demand scenario. However, the increasing use and higher loading rates of heavy trucks will weaken the advantages of IoT. Moreover, IoT products occupies a 10% lower market share compared to conventional ones under the same pricing strategy but achieves similar market share under the same value-added strategy. • Shipment is the dominant contributor in both supply chain emissions. • IoT enables a two-tier supply chain with less required warehouse space and waste. • IoT supply chain can reduce carbon emissions by 50%–70% in most scenarios. • IoT helps enterprises to acquire higher profits with lower market occupation. • Reducing the supply frequency through heavy trucks will weaken IoT's advantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cogeneration from sugarcane bagasse in Jamaica represents a significant opportunity to reduce CO 2 emissions and its dependence on a fossil fuel-based energy matrix. Generation of electricity through cogeneration is a huge opportunity in countries where the sugarcane industry is in decline. This article draws on the findings of a case-study on electricity generation through cogeneration in Jamaica to provide some key messages that may be useful for policy-makers and the private sector to make electricity generation by cogeneration a more competitive option the for investors. To this end, this article analyses two scenarios: the first is a Baseline Scenario that assesses the impact of cogeneration technology already installed in a Jamaican sugarcane company where the cogeneration stage produces 2,2 MW; the second one considers that the cogeneration technology is changed to a new biomass based power plant upgrading the cogeneration stage in order to produce 5 MW of power from bagasse. The assessment was carried out by using a complete Life Cycle Assessment, Life Cycle Costing and Social Life Cycle Assessment. The results revealed that generation of electricity from cogeneration derived from bagasse is a suitable alternative adding economic, environmental and social value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • CO 2 -based methane, methanol and polyoxymethylene (POM) are costlier than conventionally produced chemicals so far. • The higher costs result mainly from electrolysis (investment costs and electricity requirement). • German regulations fostering renewable power supply impede material use of P-t-X products. • CO 2 -based chemicals may get commercial due to learning effects and adaptation of regulations. • Based on CO 2 , higher value polymers such as POM are closer to become competitive than base chemicals. Abstract Carbon dioxide (CO 2) could be used as carbon source for chemical production. Compared with the environmental assessment, the economic assessment is related with several open questions. Particularly, it still remains unclear when and under which conditions the CO 2 -based production might become profitable. Besides production costs, the cost drivers and options to stimulate the CO 2 -based production of methane, methanol and polyoxymethylene (POM) in Germany are analyzed. In order to consider the CO 2 -based production in a realistic way, various options of operation and give an outlook for a potentially cost-effective development in the next decades are analyzed. The approach is based on life cycle costing. Raw biogas, waste gases of a cement plant, and flue gases of a waste incineration plant are considered as CO 2 -sources. The energy needed to convert CO 2 into hydrocarbons via electrolysis is assumed to be supplied by wind power from negative residual load, a dedicated wind park, or by power from the grid based on a low-price deal at the electricity exchange. Economic data originates from both industrial processes and process simulations. The results indicate that CO 2 -based production technologies are not competitive with conventional production methods under present conditions. This is mainly due to high electricity generation costs, high investment costs for electrolysis, and regulative factors like the German Renewable Energy Act (EEG) in case of energy supply from grid. A CO 2 -based polymer would closer to economic competitiveness than CO 2 -based platform chemicals. While the decrease in production costs of CO 2 -based chemicals may be limited in the next decades, a modification of relevant regulative factors could potentially promote an earlier commercialization. Relatively low prices for renewable energy supply may lead to commercialization options of CO 2 -based products until 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable restoration process is one of the biggest challenges for public and private decision makers in the Cultural Heritage sector. Currently, sustainability assessment methods are well established tools to quantitatively determine their environmental (LCA), economic (LCC) and social (SLCA) impacts from products/service across the entire value chain. Nevertheless, while these life cycle methods are widely applied in many industries and service sectors, they still are at its infancy in the restoration work of Cultural Heritage. The main goal of this paper is to define and build a general framework including all impact indicators related to the restoration work processes to apply experimentally, and for the first time, all the sustainability assessment dimensions together within the Cultural Heritage sector. The ISO 14040 standard under guidelines published by the UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative has been used as an assessment tool. Then, a CH-LCM Model framework based on a previous work from the author is applied to the real case concerning the restoration of the fortress of Uncastillo (Spain). The data collected from the real case concerning the restoration of the fortress of Uncastillo (Spain) have allowed us to reach two objectives: firstly, to validate the model empirically and, secondly, to identify successful managerial practices for the decision makers. In this respect, the paper shows that the life cycle approach can be considered an effective method for improving innovative managerial practices towards the sustainability, preservation and restoration of Cultural Heritage by assessing the environmental impact, the financial and economic feasibility and the implementation of an engagement strategy for the stakeholders. Finally, we have pointed out a set of valuable recommendations for future actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concentrated solar power (CSP) is an emerging technology for electricity production that uses solar energy and allows storing energy in the form of heat, which makes the energy also available at night. This work assesses the impact of concentrated solar power tower plants with molten salt as heat transfer fluid and storage medium, considering all three pillars of sustainability: environment, economy and society. The quantitative methods applied for each pillar are life cycle assessment (LCA), life cycle costing (LCC) and life cycle working environment (LCWE). All these methods are applied within the GaBi ts software and database system in a single and consistent model. The results show that a holistic quantitative sustainability assessment within a single framework is possible, as a first try, and further areas of research have been identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquaponics is receiving a growing interest as an emerging technology that combines recirculating aquaculture practices and hydroponics to produce fish and vegetables. However, a proper eco-design is essential to limit the environmental burdens and to enhance the economic profitability. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) were here combined to estimate the environmental and economic impacts of a designed pilot indoor aquaponic system in Belgium. Results showed that energy consumption, infrastructure and water consumption represent the main critical issues to achieve both the environmental and economic sustainability of this aquaponic system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental impact of human activities has been a concern for engineers and architects for centuries, from limitation of energy and raw materials to predicting future energy and resource demands. This study assesses how life cycle engineering (LCE) through life cycle assessment (LCA) can be used to support design decisions in the built environment. Examples are given on how the industry uses LCA in combination with an integrated design process and as a tool for decision making from single products to individual buildings over large scale urban areas. In most projects, a detailed LCA is not beneficial in the early design stages, due to scarcity on time and information. This results in the use of simple LCA studies in the early phases. Through an experienced integrated design process and simple LCA tools and calculations the life cycle approach can be embedded in the project from the very early design stages as well as throughout the planning process. By understanding the benefits and the challenges related to LCE in the industry on various scales it is the hope that more practical methods and tools can be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life cycle (LC) methodologies have attracted a great interest in agricultural sustainability assessments, even if, at the same time, they have sometimes been criticized for making unrealistic assumptions and subjective choices. To cope with these weaknesses, Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and/or participatory methods can be used to balance and integrate different sustainability dimensions. The purpose of this study is to highlight how life cycle approaches were combined with MCDA and participatory methods to address agricultural sustainability in the published scientific literature. A systematic and critical review was developed, highlighting the following features: which multi-criterial and/or participatory methods have been associated with LC tools; how they have been integrated or complemented (methodological relationships); the intensity of the involvement of stakeholders (degree of participation); and which synergies have been achieved by combining the methods. The main typology of integration was represented by multi-criterial frameworks integrating LC evaluations. LC tools can provide MCDA studies with local and global information on how to reduce negative impacts and avoid burden shifts, while MCDA methods can help LC practitioners deal with subjective assumptions in an objective way, to take into consideration actors' values and to overcome trade-offs among the different dimensions of sustainability. Considerations concerning the further development of Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) have been identified as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objects of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) case studies are often individual components or individual products. Studies focusing on larger industrial manufacturing systems are relatively rare. The purpose of this case study was to assess environmental and cost-related performance of an updated complex manufacturing system for glass containers (i.e. jars, glass bottles, etc.) compared to the predecessor manufacturing system. The objective was also to identify the most relevant drivers for the environmental and the cost profile of the system solution in application context by the means of Life Cycle Assessment, as well as Life Cycle Costing (LCC). The results were then to be displayed in an Eco-Care-Matrix (ECM) in order to quantitatively visualize the improvements when comparing the updated manufacturing system to the previous one and they were to be discussed in terms of (i) ecodesign levers, (ii) efficiency of the LCA process and (iii) their relevance for the speed and cost of the decision-making process. The LCA results of the production stage of the optimized components showed that the largest contributors to the potential environmental impact of the manufacturing system are the motors due to their material composition, number and mass. The use stage was subsequently recognized as the dominant life cycle stage with Global Warming Potential (GWP) as the leading indicator, due to the long service life (20 years) and the corresponding energy consumption. The analysis of a produced glass bottle's GWP showed that it was reduced by about 40% through optimizing the production system. The LCC showed that the modernization pays off after about five years of service life and that the decision for making an investment should not only be based on the required capital expenditure (CAPEX). Rather, operation expenditure (OPEX) should also be considered in order to reflect the savings gained from lower operating costs, which compensate relatively quickly any higher initial expenditure or initial investment. In order to apply Life Cycle Assessment on larger-scale industrial systems, smart and pragmatic LCA modeling approaches have to be developed and adopted, balancing accuracy of results against efficiency in achieving them. An adequate ecological-and-economic assessment tool would reduce the time and effort when making decisions in this context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emphasis in this research is on affordable and innovative semi-prefabricated ‘open-renovation-systems’ for extending residential buildings. Based on an existing LCA (life cycle assessment) and LCC (life cycle costing) methodology, two methodological issues in evaluating renovation interventions are assessed: (1) the allocation of the environmental impact of the existing structures and materials to the life cycle before and after renovation and (2) the energy calculation method. An existing semi-prefabricated ‘open-renovation-system’ for a rooftop extension is assessed both on element and building level from an environmental and financial life cycle perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building renovation must be attractive and profitable regarding sustainability criteria to be a competitive alternative to demolishment and construction of new buildings. This study presents the global warming potential related life cycle assessment and net present value life cycle costing of three hybrid-timber building renovation and extension systems. The three systems have been developed for three common building types in the Republic of Korea: residential high-rise (cross-laminated timber system), multi-use (glue-laminated and timber frame system), and residential low-rise (steel and timber frame system). The global warming potential of the renovation systems' materials and their net present value has been calculated with a parametric design system that facilitates the streamlined calculation of multiple construction options and the resulting environmental and economic impacts. The results demonstrate that the three systems achieve negative global warming potential (apartment: −4.74 kgCO2/m2, mixed-use −0.74 kgCO2/m2, multi-unit: −0.28 kgCO2/m2). Positive net present value can be achieved by selling or renting additional useable floor space created through building extension and renovation, resulting in economically and ecologically profitable alternatives to new construction. The parametric calculation system facilitates integrated economic and ecologic cost assessment and evaluation and allows for multiple scenario comparisons. • Life Cycle Assessment and Costing of 3 building extension and renovation systems. • Introduction of a parametric economic and environmental cost assessment system. • 50 years life cycle assessment period & materials with minimized CO 2 -eq emissions. • All systems achieve negative CO 2 -eq emissions and positive Net Present Values. • Renewable materials & building extensions are crucial to achieve positive results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This contribution presents an integrated quantitative approach for the holistic assessment of the sustainability of technologies. The methodology envisages environmental, economic and social sustainability assessments separately, then collates them to obtain a single measure of sustainability. Standard life cycle assessment and economic evaluation methods are used to provide quantitative measures for environmental and economic parameters. A new method is used to evaluate the social sustainability, enabling the quantitative integration of all three indices. Individual indices are developed and combined to provide a single performance index of sustainability. This particular tool allows technology stakeholders to incorporate sustainability principles to their design and operation activities. It provides also a benchmark platform for comparing various technologies from a sustainability standpoint. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper quantifies environmental and economic benefits of the Integrated Product Service Offering (IPSO) in real practice from a life cycle perspective, in comparison with its corresponding product-sales type business as a reference. The paper also discusses the engineering activities contributing to those effects, as well as their enablers. To reach this goal, the paper investigates three IPSOs as real-life business cases in industry. Those cases are selected from different sectors and have different characteristics. In addition, the paper calculates and compares environmental impacts and economic costs of different offerings in each case through the use of Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Costing, respectively. In all three cases, IPSOs had environmental and economic advantages in comparison with the product-sales type business. The engineering activities contributing to those advantages under IPSOs were recycling, remanufacturing, reuse, maintenance, and holistic planning and operation. The enablers were found to be high flexibility for realizing products and services and close relationships with relevant actors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Bio-based materials have come increasingly into focus during the last years, as alternatives to conventional materials such as fossil-based polymers, metals, and glass. The present paper is an application of life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology in order to explore the possibility of improving the eco efficiency of glass fibre composite materials by replacing part of the glass fibres with hemp mats. The main purpose and contribution of this study is the exploration of the eco-efficiency of this new material. To a minor degree, it is also a contribution in the sense that it provides life cycle inventory data on composites, which as yet is scarce in the LCA community. The study is a development of a previous work conducted on a pipe system used to transport cooling sea waters in a Sicilian petrochemical company. A comparative LCA was performed of two different elbow-fittings made of glass fibre/thermoset composite and hybrid (glass fibre-hemp)/thermoset composite, respectively. Primary data were collected mainly for the manufacturing process of the composite, while the Ecoinvent v2.2 database (PRè-Product Ecology Consultants, 2012) was used to model other parts of the system. Significant environmental benefits of using hemp mats were found mainly in the production phase. An LCC was also carried out from cradle to grave to find ways to optimise the costs. Material costs reduction was significant for the hybrid elbow formulation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study is aimed at providing a contribution in overcoming the current gap, especially in Life Cycle Costing (LCC) and Benefit – Cost (BCA) analyses, due to the lack concerning the green roof disposal costs. Therefore, we have applied to an actual extensive green roof the LCC methodology suggested by D. G. Woodward (that appears like one of the most formalized and generalizable), but we have extended the analysis to the disposal phase. This will allow a complete and proper application of the LCC methodology in order of achieving an economic accounting of this component through its life cycle. In this way, it is possible to achieve the complete evaluation of the “green roof” performance by a life cycle perspective (the environmental performances, in fact, are assessed by means of the classical Life Cycle Assessment approach). Needed steps for accomplishing the cost analysis of the disposal phase of this building component have been applied and discussed. These steps help to formalize the procedure, so attributing it an approach which may be generalized. The relative contribution of production, maintenance and end of life phases to the whole cost of this extensive green roof has been illustrated as well. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) are well-established methods used for many years in many countries for system analysis of waste management. According to standard LCA procedure the assessment should include improvement analysis, in many cases this is performed by simple sensitivity analyses. An obstacle to perform more thorough sensitivity analyses is that it is hard to distinguish input data important to the results, i.e. key parameters. This paper further elaborates sensitivity analyses performed in an environmental system analysis for a hypothetical Swedish municipality. In this paper, the method to identify and test input data that can be categorised as potential key parameters is described. The method and the results from computer simulations of the identified parameters are presented, and some conclusions are drawn regarding the robustness of the results for environmental impact from municipal solid waste management. The major conclusion is that the results are robust. Changes in results, when changing the preconditions, are often small and the changes observed do not lead to new conclusions; i.e., a change of ranking order between treatment options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Brazil has always been the pioneer in the application of bioethanol as a main fuel for automobiles, hence environmental and economic analyses of the Brazilian ethanol industries are of crucial importance. This study presents a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) on gasoline and ethanol as fuels, and with two types of blends of gasoline with bioethanol, all used in a midsize car. The focus is on a main application in Brazil, sugarcane based ethanol. The results of two cases are presented: base case—bioethanol production from sugarcane and electricity generation from bagasse; future case—bioethanol production from both sugarcane and bagasse and electricity generation from wastes. In both cases sugar is co-produced. The life cycles of fuels include gasoline production, agricultural production of sugarcane, ethanol production, sugar and electricity co-production, blending ethanol with gasoline to produce E10 (10% of ethanol) and E85 (85%), and finally the use of gasoline, E10, E85 and pure ethanol. Furthermore, a life cycle costing (LCC) was conducted to give an indication on fuel economy in both cases. The results show that in the base case less GHG is emitted; while the overall evaluation of these fuel options depends on the importance attached to different impacts. The future case is certainly more economically attractive, which has been the driving force for development in the ethanol industry in Brazil. Nevertheless, the outcomes depend very much on the assumed price for crude oil. In LCC a steady-state cost model was used and only the production cost was taken into account. In the real market the prices of fuels are very much dependent on the taxes and subsidies. Technological development can help in lowering both the environmental impact and the prices of the ethanol fuels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this study is the evaluation of the environmental sustainability by means of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and economic profitability through Life Cycle Costing (LCC) of the 18 anaerobic digestion (AD) configurations carried out on Organic Fraction Municipal Solid Waste (OFMSW) at three Substrate Inoculum (S:I) ratios (1:2, 1:1 and 2:1) for three different inoculum incubation times (0, 5 and 10 d). The adopted approach was the eco-efficiency perspective, coming from the combination of technical, environmental (LCA) and economic (LCC) perspectives. The main findings of the study were that increasing both the S:I ratio and the inoculum incubation time (5 and 10 d) the environmental impacts decreased, and economic profitability increased. The lowest values of Climate Change were achieved by the AD performed with both inocula WAS and CAS for 10 d at S:I equal to 2:1: 28.67 and 27.72 kg CO 2 eq respectively. The minimum AD plant size for which all the 18 AD configurations was economically profitable after 5 y of amortization was 30,000 t/y of OFMSW. Capital and operational costs decreased by increasing the incubation time of the inoculum and the S:I ratio, since higher specific biogas rate was reached, and smaller AD bio-reactor volume were adopted because hydraulic retention time decreased. The AD plant size, for which maximal revenues and minimal capital and operational costs were detected, was 50,000 t/y OFMSW. Among all the AD configurations, the environmental sustainability and economic profitability were reached by test perfomed with inocula WAS and CAS incubated for 5 and 10 d at the highest S:I ratio 2:1. [Display omitted] • Environmental sustainability and economic profitability of anaerobic digestion (AD). • Environmental impact drops by increasing S:I ratio and inoculum incubation time. • Capex and Opex drop by increasing the inoculum incubation time and the S:I ratio. • AD at the highest S:I ratio and inoculum incubation time reach the sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the economic and environmental costs of seaweed cultivation (Alaria esculenta) in Ireland and evaluates the potential revenue made on the voluntary carbon offset market (VCOM). The life cycle assessment (LCA) results revealed the cultivation equipment with the polypropylene used for the cultivation lines contributes the highest share of impacts due to their replacement rate. This study suggests long-term employment of farm infrastructure and increased seaweed yield could enhance the environmental sustainability of the system. Moreover, life cycle costing (LCC) indicates the seaweed farm in Ireland is economically feasible over a 20-year lifespan. However, the revenue generated on the VCOM from the seaweed carbon assimilation was minimal, contributing to only 5% of the revenue. This study concludes that further development of the seaweed market with stabilized biomass prices and producing a range of viable products from seaweed biomass will be a major factor in the economic sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of the window system on building thermal performance is considerably complicated. It depends upon several interactive design factors and climatic diversity. Unfortunately, there is a lack of comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) involving operational thermal efficiency with embodied production. Yet upgrading the thermal efficiency of windows and cost of energy savings should be justified from the additional investment cost. Therefore, the study presents a holistic approach for optimizing the windows system integrating operational efficiency with comprehensive LCA and life cycle costing (LCC). The study employed energy simulation software FirstRate5 over a range of energy-efficient windows to assess potential design variables for energy expenditure. Performed simulations illustrate the dominance of façade insulation (R) above glazing in reducing energy consumption, roughly 87% of the cumulative reduction. However, the provision of a zero window is not an optimum solution for permitting daylight and fresh air. Thus, an analytical framework has been proposed for glazing to ensure thermal efficiency, lower embodied impacts, and cost-effectiveness. The resulting Pearson coefficient (r) shows a relatively higher thermal conductivity (U w = 0.39) correlation with energy consumptions in a colder climate than hot- and warm-temperate environments. Thousands of simulations have been performed to generate data for developing linear regression models. In addition, Monte Carlo simulations have been conducted to validate the uncertainties of developed models. LCC analysis specifies the provision of glazing 40–68% of the window to wall ratio (WWR) feasible for optimal trade-offs. BIM-enabled LCA (Tally) identifies embodied environmental impacts for Aluminium, Timber, Fiberglass, uPVC, and Composite frame windows following the ISO 14040–14044 standards. Comparative analysis of different framed windows shows the suitability of using uPVC windows over others due to less cost, thermal efficiency, fewer environmental impacts, recycling possessions, and less energy demand at the manufacturing stage. [Display omitted] • Windows optimization performed integrating climatic diversity with LCA and LCC. • Insulation is a preferable option over double glazing in reducing energy load by 87%. • Correlation (r) signifies the necessity of U w and solar aperture in cold temperate. • LCC specifies optimum windows opening 40–68% WWR is feasible for economic trade-offs. • LCA suggests uPVC due to less cost, impacts, efficiency, and recycling provisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An attempt has been made to interpret the outcomes of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in terms of environmental costs. This attempt ensures the environmental accountability of the products while LCA ensures their eco-friendly nature. Keeping this as an objective, a Life Cycle Environmental Cost Analysis (LCECA) model was developed. This new tool incorporates costing into the LCA practice. This model prescribes a life cycle environmental cost model to estimate and correlate the effects of these costs in all the life cycle stages of the product. The newly developed categories of eco-costs are: costs of effluent treatment/control/disposal, environmental management systems, eco-taxes, rehabilitation, energy and savings of recycling and reuse strategies. The mathematical model of LCECA determines quantitative expressions between the total cost of products and the various eco-costs. The eco-costs of the alternatives are compared with the computational LCECA model. This method enables the environmental as well as the economic assessment of products, which leads to cost-effective, eco-friendly design of products. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) are innovative tools based on an innovative approach allowing to investigate the environmental and economic burdens of a product or service throughout its lifecycle. Although usually carried out individually, their integration in a comprehensive analysis could provide a substantial asset in every kind of decision-making procedures. In this study, the sustainability of a newly developed component for refrigeration units is investigated by applying these two tools in a cradle to grave approach in different scenarios. Results from the LCA show the huge impact associated with the manufacturing process of the kit compared to the transport. However, the use phase environmental analysis showed an environmental payback period always lower than 10 years. Results from the LCC show that the initial investment cost represents the highest share for the final user. Furthermore, favourable discounted payback periods are generally found, leading to net savings above 270,000 € in the case best-case scenario. [Display omitted] • LCA and LCC of an optimisation kit for industrial refrigeration units were studied. • The highest impact of the overall process is during the manufacturing stage. • The environmental payback period of the kit is lower than 10 years. • LCC showed the initial investment is up to 88% of the total cost. • The initial investment is recovered after 4 years and 10 months at the latest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For successful implementation of sustainability in industry robust assessments of products and processes are necessary that quantify environmental aspects under consideration of costs. The sustainability needs of companies vary greatly according to region, sector and stakeholder. BASF has developed a toolbox for eco-efficiency assessments that addresses the broad range of in-house and external needs, allowing flexibility while ensuring that relevant and sufficient environmental impact is covered to support decision-making based on quantified sustainability assessments. The toolbox is based on standard practices for life cycle assessment to support strategic decisions, product development and marketing. Environmental impact assessment follows ISO 14040 and 14044. Impacts are aggregated to an overall environmental impact. Life cycle costs are similarly determined and may be combined with environmental impact to an overall Eco-Efficiency Portfolio and Eco-Efficiency Index. The relevance check ensures inclusion of main impact categories and coverage of sufficient environmental impacts. A peer-reviewed case study on the treatment of flowback from fracturing operations demonstrates the applicability of the Eco-Efficiency Analysis. Deposition of flowback in existing hydrocarbon-containing reservoirs was compared with treatment in preparation for disposal to a municipal waste water treatment plant. The Reservoir option is more eco-efficient both at low and high flowback volumes. Disadvantages of the waste water treatment option include the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the high energy needed for the removal of dissolved solids from the flowback. The relevance check shows that climate change is the dominant environmental impact, but photochemical ozone formation, acidification, freshwater eutrophication, human toxicity and resource depletion (mineral & fossil) are significant as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reduction of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate climate change poses challenges across multiple sectors. Biofuels have been touted as a replacement for petroleum-based fuels, but policy guiding this sector must ensure that biomass is obtained in a sustainably. In this context, Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) tools have been identified as a means to conduct comprehensive impact evaluations of the biofuel sector. The objective of this work is to highlight key environmental, economic, and social indicators currently being assessed using LCSA, and to relate these back to the framework of Principles and Criteria (P&C) developed by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) to assess the ability of LCSA approaches to effectively inform all Principles within the RSB. 60 LCSA studies, published since 2007, were selected to include a range of biofuel production scenarios, including various technologies and geographic settings. System boundaries and functional units used in these studies were evaluated and compared. The ability of each study to provide quantitative indicators related to environmental, economic, and social sustainability was tabulated. It was found that some RSB Principles can be effectively evaluated using an LCSA approach, including Principle 3 (greenhouse gas emissions) and Principle 10 (air quality). Most other Principles within the RSB P&C framework, however, are only partially addressed, and Principle 11 (technology, inputs, and management of waste) is not informed in any way by existing LCSA. The results suggest that existing LCSA studies, while expanding to consider more economic and social sustainability considerations, are unlikely to cover all aspects of biofuel production systems and are not sufficient to completely inform the full range of RSB Criteria. In the future, LCSA should be further extended to help address critical aspects of sustainability, while the RSB framework should be strengthened to employ a life cycle approach across all Principles. Image 1 • RSB P&C framework models environmental, economic and social sustainability. • LCSA studies in the biofuels sector primarily address environmental sustainability. • RSB P&C framework currently lack strong guidelines for data collection. • Only some of the RSB Principles are well informed by existing LCSA studies. • Future LCSAs should include more aspects of economic and social sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]