Life-Cycle Assessment of Polypropylene Production in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Region

Abstract

The environmental impacts of the polypropylene (PP) manufacturing process are not fully understood in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. There is a growing interest in assessing the environmental impacts of this highly demanded product, especially for the petrochemical industry sector. This research examines the environmental impacts of the polypropylene manufacturing process using a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. Gabi software is selected to carry out this research study and quantify the risks associated with manufacturing one ton of polypropylene, chosen as the functional unit for this LCA study. This work has the following merits: (i) an evaluation of environmental impacts specific to GCC region based on actual plant data; (ii) the results in this work can be used to evaluate LCA impacts of PP based products; and (iii) emphasizing the importance of waste management in reducing environmental impacts. This study shows that the polypropylene manufacturing process releases numerous pollutants into the environment, as the gross CO2 emissions for the manufacturing process of PP in the plant located in the GCC region were estimated to be 1.58 kg CO2 eq./kg-PP. The manufacturing process of propylene has extremely high impacts on global warming potential, fossil resource depletion (1.722 kg Oil eq./kg-PP), human toxicity (0.077 kg 1,4-DB eq./kg-PP), acidification (0.0049 kg SO2 eq./kg-PP), and petrochemical oxidant formation (0.0042 kg NMVOC/kg-PP). Additionally, based on the results of this present research, this study proposes possible improvements and alternative solutions such as applying advanced technologies, clean energy, and safe recycling processes in the GCC that are environmentally friendly.

Energy Inputs on the Production of Plastic Products

“…The next stages are the production of polymers and their preparation to the form compliant with the requirements of buyers. There is also an approach in which only two main steps are taken into account: production of monomers and production of polymers [Alsabri et al 2021].…”

“…For example, in EU countries, gas prices for industrial customers in the first half of 2019 ranged from 0.02 EUR/kWh (Belgium) to 0.06 EUR/kWh (Finland) (EU average price: 0.03 EUR/kWh) [Natural gas Eurostat 2021]. For comparison, in the USA, the average price of natural gas for industrial customers is 130 USD/1000 Nm 3 (Nm 3 -normal cubic meter) (as of January 2020) [Natural gas, EIA 2022] -approx. 56% lower than the average price in the EU (0.03 EUR/kWh = 297 USD/1000 Nm 3 ; the calorific value of natural gas 33 MJ/Nm 3 and the exchange rate 1.08 USD/EUR were used for conversion).…”

“…For comparison, in the USA, the average price of natural gas for industrial customers is 130 USD/1000 Nm 3 (Nm 3 -normal cubic meter) (as of January 2020) [Natural gas, EIA 2022] -approx. 56% lower than the average price in the EU (0.03 EUR/kWh = 297 USD/1000 Nm 3 ; the calorific value of natural gas 33 MJ/Nm 3 and the exchange rate 1.08 USD/EUR were used for conversion). The fact that the USA has its own shale gas reserves and their development may affect the low level of natural gas prices in this country.…”

“…The fact that the USA has its own shale gas reserves and their development may affect the low level of natural gas prices in this country. According to Alsabri et al (2021) access to 1/3 of the world's oil and natural gas resources in the Gulf Cooperation Council region has enabled and allows for the further development of the chemical and petrochemical industries in this region. As a consequence, the Gulf Cooperation Council is now the main producer and exporter of polypropylene in the world [Alsabri et al 2020].…”

Recent Advances in Lignocellulose-Based Monomers and Their Polymerization

“…Not only is the polymer industry facing a depletion of raw materials, but the production process also has an irreversible negative impact on the environment. For example, studies have shown that the equivalent CO 2 emissions per kilogram of polypropylene and polyethylene produced are 1.34 and 1.48 kg, respectively [ 2 ]. In addition to this, only 14% of plastic packaging is collected for recycling after use and a significant amount escapes into the environment [ 3 ].…”