LCA single score analysis of man-made cellulose fibres

Abstract

In this study, the LCA report “Life Cycle assessment of man-made cellulose fibres” [3] is extended to the single score analysis in order to provide an additional basis for decision making. The single score analysis covers 9 to 11 environmental impact categories. Three single score methods (Single Score I, II, and III) are introduced and applied. Single Score I assigns equal importance to all environmental impact categories and it does not apply normalisation. Single Score II also assigns equal importance to all impact categories and it does apply normalisation. Single Score III makes use of the normalised LCA results and combines them to a single score by application of the weighting factors developed by the Dutch Oil and Gas Exploitation and Production Association (Nederlandse Olie en Gas Exploitatie en Productie Associatie, NOGEPA). All three single scores come to the conclusion that the four modern man-made cellulose fibres, namely Tencel Austria, Lenzing Modal, Lenzing Viscose Austria and Tencel Austria 2012, have the lowest overall impact among all studied fibres. According to both Single Score II and III, cotton has the highest impact; Lenzing Viscose Asia is similar to PET and both have higher impacts than PP.