Life cycle assessment of bio-based and fossil-based plastic: A review

Abstract

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Impact Strength and Water Uptake Behavior of Bleached Kraft Softwood-Reinforced PLA Composites as Alternative to PP-Based Materials

“…In a first view of the results, it is clear that PLA-based composites show lower impact values than PP-based materials. It can be seen that the carbon footprint needed to produce PLA are inferior to PP, and the energy consumed to produce both polymers are similar [ 39 , 40 ]. The carbon footprint reported values are in the range from 0.8 to 3.5 and 0.1 to 3.0 kg CO 2 eq/kg polymer for the PP and the PLA, respectively [ 40 ].…”

“…On the other hand, the energies needed to produce a kg of PP or a kg of PLA are very similar. The literature shows values in the range from 41 to 85 and 25 to 85 MJ/kg polymer, for the PP and PLA, respectively [ 39 , 40 ]. Some authors’ values are as low as 0, but are controversial [ 39 , 40 ].…”

“…The literature shows values in the range from 41 to 85 and 25 to 85 MJ/kg polymer, for the PP and PLA, respectively [ 39 , 40 ]. Some authors’ values are as low as 0, but are controversial [ 39 , 40 ]. The highest deviations are observed when the reinforcements are added to the composites.…”

“…The highest deviations are observed when the reinforcements are added to the composites. On the one hand, the carbon footprint of GF is higher than PP and increases noticeably the carbon footprint of the composites [ 39 ]. On the other hand, the carbon footprint of BKSP is lower than PLA, and thus, the carbon footprint of the composites decreases with the percentage of reinforcement [ 41 ].…”

“…The analysis was based on the carbon footprint and the energy needed per kg of polymer and composite. The values were obtained from the environmental analysis database of SolidWorks ® and the literature [ 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ].…”