Life Cycle Assessment in Polymer Industry Toward the 21st Century

Abstract

Life cycle assessments to protect global environment and to control waste in the polymer industry are reviewed. The focus is on 1) environmentally sound technology, 2) energy conservation, and 3) recycling of industrial products. The competitiveness of a nation depends on how it balances economic development of sustainable growth and responsible care of the global environment in a borderless economy. It fully depends on the development of both environmentally sound manufacturing and effective recycling technologies for the products. Current environmental issues of the Japanese chemical industries as well as Toray's performance and new products development for environment business are reviewed: 1) Energy conservation and technology of the Japanese manufacturing industry, 2) Development of environmentally sound technology, 3) Effective products recycling technologies, and 4) Sustainable growth in the new chemical age. The future issues of life cycle assessment and environmental protection in manufacturing industries are discussed.     

The Cradle-to-Cradle Life Cycle Assessment of Polyethylene terephthalate: Environmental Perspective

Over the last several years, the number of concepts and technologies enabling the production of environmentally friendly products (including materials, consumables, and services) has expanded. One of these ways is cradle-to-cradle (C2C) certified^TM. Life cycle assessment (LCA) technique is used to highlight the advantages of C2C and recycling as a method for reducing plastic pollution and fossil depletion by indicating the research limitations and gaps from an environmental perspective. Also, it estimates the resources requirements and focuses on sound products and processes. The C2C life cycle measurements for petroleum-based poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) bottles, with an emphasis on different end-of-life options for recycling, were taken for mainland China, in brief. It is considered that the product is manufactured through the extraction of crude oil into ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. The CML analysis method was used in the LCIA for the selected midpoint impact categories. LCA of the product has shown a drastic aftermath in terms of environmental impacts and energy use. But the estimation of these consequences is always dependent on the system and boundary conditions that were evaluated throughout the study. The impacts that burden the environment are with the extraction of raw material, resin, and final product production. Minor influences occurred due to the waste recycling process. This suggests that waste degradation is the key process to reduce the environmental impacts of the production systems. Lowering a product’s environmental impact can be accomplished in a number of ways, including reducing the amount of materials used or choosing materials with a minimal environmental impact during manufacture processes.     

Two Decades of Laccases: Advancing Sustainability in the Chemical Industry

Given the current state of environmental affairs and that our future on this planet as we know it is in jeopardy, research and development into greener and more sustainable technologies within the chemical and forest products industries is at its peak. Given the global scale of these industries, the need for environmentally benign practices is propelling new green processes. These challenges are also impacting academic research and our reagents of interest are laccases. These enzymes are employed in a variety of biotechnological applications due to their native function as catalytic oxidants. They are about as green as it gets when it comes to chemical processes, requiring O₂ as their only co‐substrate and producing H₂O as the sole by‐product. The following account will review our twenty year journey on the use of these enzymes within our research group, from their initial use in biobleaching of kraft pulps and for fiber modification within the pulp and paper industry, to their current application as green catalytic oxidants in the field of synthetic organic chemistry.     

Photocatalysis as an Effective Tool for Upcycling Polymers into Value-Added Molecules

Shaping a sustainable future is closely tied to the development of advanced plastic recycling technologies. As global recycling rates remain low, the lion's share of post-consumer plastics is either incinerated or disposed of in landfills. This unbalanced plastic waste management not only poses severe environmental risks, but also entails an irrevocable loss of chemical resources that are embedded in synthetic polymers. To give plastic waste a new life, a series of photocatalytic methods has recently been reported that convert polymers directly into value-added organic molecules. These approaches operate at ambient temperature, show high reactivity/selectivity, and provide alternative reaction pathways as compared to thermal depolymerizations. This Minireview highlights the scientific breakthroughs in upcycling polymers through state-of-the-art photocatalysis under environmentally benign conditions.     

废旧塑料回收再生利用技术的新进展

塑料制品在给人类生活带来便利的同时也带来了极大的负效应,其形成的“白色污染”,直接污染土壤及地下水。废旧塑料的回收再生利用已成为急待解决的问题,是全球环保界关注的焦点。本史扼要介绍了国内外废旧塑料回收再生技术的最新进展。     

Recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET Or PETE) plastics – An alternative to obtain value added products: A review

Waste management is become one of the world's most pressing issues. Plastic is one of the most widely utilised materials in the modern world. Plastic manufacturing and usage have risen globally in recent decades due to its low weight and outstanding mechanical properties. Plastic has a wide range of applications due to such good properties include lightweight, high strength, and extended durability. Because of plastics are non- or low-biodegradable, a vast quantity of plastic waste is generated every day, making waste disposal the most pressing matter globally. Furthermore, improper waste disposal pollutes the environment. An ecologically friendly approach is necessary to locket these issues. One of the solutions is to recycle this sort of garbage. There are many plastic recycling technologies available, however practically all of them have certain restrictions. Chemical recycling of plastic, on the other hand, has been shown to be more efficient than other recycling methods. This article provides a quick overview of chemical recycling of PET post-consumer waste and the synthesis of potentially value-added products such as dye or dyestuffs, bolaform surfactant, bio-degradable polyesters, drug carrier, Metal-organic framework (MOF), bio-degradable polymeric scaffolds, polyurethane foam and coating materials etc.     

Preventing pollution from plutonium processing

The plutonium processing facility at Los Alamos has adopted the strategic goal of becoming a facility that processes plutonium in a way that produces only environmentally benign waste streams. Pollution prevention through source reduction and environmentally sound recycling are being pursued. General approaches to waste reductions are administrative controls, modification of process technologies, and additional waste polishing. Recycling of waste materials, such as spent acids and salts, are technical possibilities and are being pursued to accomplish additional waste reduction. Liquid waste stream polishing to remove final traces of plutonium and hazardous chemical constituents is accomplished through (a) process modifications, (b) use of alternative chemicals and sorbents for residue removal, (c) acid recycling, and (d) judicious use of a variety of waste polishing technologies. Technologies that show promise in waste minimization and pollution prevention are identified. Working toward this goal of pollution prevention is a worthwhile endeavor, not only for Los Alamos, but for the Nuclear Complex of the future.     

Recent progress of photo‐resin for rapid prototyping, “resin for stereolithography”

A main goal for manufacturing systems is to shorten lead‐time for the development of new products. An important challenge is to make sound decisions at early stages of product development where committed costs are low which leads us to obtain a lower total cost. This could mean that incurred costs are higher in the beginning where more work has to be done in terms of learning the market, developing the product and the production system. An important feature is to avoid changes at later stages where the incurred costs are high. The stereolithography using photo curable liquid resin is important for the manufacturing. The technology based on the stereolithography has been widely accepted due to the phenomena of spreading “Information Technology (IT)” and three‐dimensional computer aided design (3D CAD) system. The stereolithography technique has become very popular in the field of automotive, home‐electronics industries. In this paper the photo curable liquid resins for the stereolithography system are reviewed.     

Seeking direct cathode regeneration for more efficient lithium-ion battery recycling

As lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) continue to expand their applications, an effective and economic end-of-life strategy urgently demanded the development of closed-loop manufacturing and the improvement of resource sustainability in the LIB industry. Compared with conventional hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical recycling methods, the direct recycling process is capable of rejuvenating both spent electrodes while avoiding intensive energy and chemical usages, which significantly reduces the cost and secondary wastes. This short review analyzes the recent progress in direct recycling of LIB cathodes with some highlights in the challenges and limitations of materials properties and resource sustainability. It also presents an outlook on the next-generation recycling of spent LIBs with higher environmental benefits and economic returns.     

Report on the Research Project: Nano-Structured Environmental Catalysts

A big research project, 2002–2008, on environmental chemical technology has successfully been completed. The project aimed at creation of scientific and technological basis for innovative chemical technologies for the conservation of the environment. The outline of the project will briefly be described with some major achievements.     

The technological and economic management of the environmental variable in the pharmaceutical–chemical industry

Industrial risks increate with technological progress. The study of potential risks is routine in the pharmaceutical–chemical industry. Here, like in other industrial activities, a risk coefficient is introduced that varies within space time limits.A control system of environmental safety and health monitoring processes should be based on the data obtained from Hazard and Operability Studies (HAZOP).The space variable influences the chemical risk coefficient that applies to the whole the production cycle (including waste recycling). For the sake of prevention, many enterprises have adopted the integrated management system, which is now moving to an additional required feature: environment and health protection and safety assurance inside and outside the industrial area (in compliance with UNI, ISO 14000 and OHSAS 18001standards).Our goal is to examine the technological–scientific–environmental changes in the pharmaceutical–chemical sector in order to asses the new extent of chemical regarding management systems.This will entail a cultural change that will call for the necessary economic strategies for industries to implement the appropriate environmental–technological programs.     

Laser and ozone applications for circularity journey in denim manufacturing - A developing country perspective

Denim is recognized across the globe for its vintage worn out effect, rough, and tough look along with comfort. Its market share is growing tremendously due to its popularity in all segments of consumers. Despite several advantages, denim manufacturing negatively impacts the environment as it is associated with the use of large amount of water, energy, chemicals, and emission of greenhouse gases. This paper highlights the potential of digital laser technology and waterless ozone technology to promote sustainable chemistry by reducing environmental pollution in denim manufacturing. Using the extant literature and collecting data from two different companies, this paper highlights the sustainable technologies in denim chemical processing and their significance in circular fashion (CF). It was found that the use of digital laser technology in denim patterning, color fading, and surface engraving reduced energy and water consumption; saved a significant amount of chemicals; and prevented effluents from getting discharged to the water bodies. Similarly, the application of ozone in denim washing and color fading helped to resolve the above-mentioned issues in denim manufacturing. The findings from two Vietnamese fashion companies showed that using laser and ozone technologies not only help to achieve sustainability but also lead toward fashion circularity.     

Towards Total Quality Management of Chinese Medicinal Herbal Products:A Case Study of Danshen (Radix Salvia Miltiorrhiza)

The global trend of favoring therapeutic treatment and health keeping with natural medicine and dietary supplement/neutraceuticals provides golden opportunity for the re-birth of CM (Chinese Medicine) and its integration into the mainstream health care system worldwide. To develop a scientifically sound and technology-based CM industry in order to compete favorably in the world market, one needs to modernize the entire process of CM manufacturing from raw material supply to downstream product preparations. High quality and contaminant-free raw material produced under GAP (Good Agriculture Practice) guidelines is the first step leading eventually to the production of quality and safe CM products through a series of quality guidelines including GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) for chemical analysis,GcLP (Good Clinical Laboratory Practice) for clinical testing, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) for product manufacturing, and finally GSP (Good Sales Practice) for business transactions. These 5 P's in essence constitute the TQM (Total Quality Management) system for product development.     

Anthropogenic chemical carbon cycle for a sustainable future

Nature's photosynthesis uses the sun's energy with chlorophyll in plants as a catalyst to recycle carbon dioxide and water into new plant life. Only given sufficient geological time, millions of years, can new fossil fuels be formed naturally. The burning of our diminishing fossil fuel reserves is accompanied by large anthropogenic CO(2) release, which is outpacing nature's CO(2) recycling capability, causing significant environmental harm. To supplement the natural carbon cycle, we have proposed and developed a feasible anthropogenic chemical recycling of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is captured by absorption technologies from any natural or industrial source, from human activities, or even from the air itself. It can then be converted by feasible chemical transformations into fuels such as methanol, dimethyl ether, and varied products including synthetic hydrocarbons and even proteins for animal feed, thus supplementing our food chain. This concept of broad scope and framework is the basis of what we call the Methanol Economy. The needed renewable starting materials, water and CO(2), are available anywhere on Earth. The required energy for the synthetic carbon cycle can come from any alternative energy source such as solar, wind, geothermal, and even hopefully safe nuclear energy. The anthropogenic carbon dioxide cycle offers a way of assuring a sustainable future for humankind when fossil fuels become scarce. While biosources can play a limited role in supplementing future energy needs, they increasingly interfere with the essentials of the food chain. We have previously reviewed aspects of the chemical recycling of carbon dioxide to methanol and dimethyl ether. In the present Perspective, we extend the discussion of the innovative and feasible anthropogenic carbon cycle, which can be the basis of progressively liberating humankind from its dependence on diminishing fossil fuel reserves while also controlling harmful CO(2) emissions to the atmosphere. We also discuss in more detail the essential stages and the significant aspects of carbon capture and subsequent recycling. Our ability to develop a feasible anthropogenic chemical carbon cycle supplementing nature's photosynthesis also offers a new solution to one of the major challenges facing humankind.     

Research and Practice in Green Chemical Technologies

Green chemistry is also called environment harmless or environment friendly chemistry.Green chemistry requires to use new synthetic methods, engineering technologies and processes to eliminate or reduce by-products, wastes or products that harmful to human health, community safety,and ecology environment. Green chemistry pursues to control the usage of the harmful and toxic materials, reduce waste emission, avoid necessity to treat the wastes; Green Chemistry advocates wastes management from the beginning, improving the efficiency of atoms, optimizing the use of resources and energy, lowering the cost of production. Green Chemistry technologies are the ultimate path to the clean chemical production in the future.Insight Co. takes "hospital of enterprises" and "bank of technologies" as our characteristics in business, and deems the development and spread of green chemistry as our mission. We developed an unique business model which combines education, research and production. In the past 8 years,we had applied and obtained more than 30 patents and received more than ten national and provincial awards in technology progress.We had made great progress in the manufacturing of organophosphorus pesticides, especially the production of omethoate, methamidophos, paraquat and glycyrrhizinic phosphor, etc., which made a stable foundation for INSIGHT's development. We had also achieved great success in the high efficiency low toxic pesticides, such as imidacloprid, etofenprox, metalaxyl and in the new synthetic methods in various amino acids as well as in the pharmaceutical intermediates. The new method of preparation indigo using N-phenylglycinonitrile is an advanced process in the world in terms of the clean production technology for Ferro cyanide and HCN's transformation rate improvement. We solved the pollution problem of the old route. The newly developed substituted product for indigo using a clean production technology which greatly reduced the material consumption and environmental pollution. Insight has facilities producing nearly 20 photo-initiators and developed the new technique for light-curing lubricity, water-born resin, the technique for water-bon coating and their associated applications. The successfully developed technology of new high performance emulsion will promote the technology advancement in the coating industry and the wide spread of new coating in China.Insight has developed a series of new technologies, including a novel reactor technology - using a newly designed patented blade, has been characterized as high efficiency & energy saving reactor.The novel technology research and development are widely applied in INSIGHT's ten-year practice.We studied and confirmed the non-thermal catalyzing effect of microwaves, proposed a "weak microwave" theory, and a chemical reaction rate equation. We proposed that in the existence of microwave magnesium ions and phosphate, amino acid can be activated to form peptide which maybe the path of the origin of life.A 3000mt/a pilot plant in Chongqing using carbon monoxide and hydrogen to produce dimethyl ether in a single step has been built via collaboration with the Dept. of Chemical Engineering at Tsinghua University. The large scale, low cost production of dimethyl ether may possible through comprehensive technology improvement. This technology will take full advantage of current ammonia production facilities, and try to solve the global fuel shortage problem.     

废旧塑料改性再生的研究进展

塑料制品作为一种全球范围内广泛使用的商品,几乎已经渗透到了人类生活中的各个方面.同时,快速累积的废旧塑料对陆地和海洋环境产生了一系列的负面影响.值得注意的是,废旧塑料具有资源和废物双重属性.废旧塑料的回收品质和数量的提高,对于资源的高效利用、可持续发展和环境保护具有重大意义.本文介绍了废旧塑料常用的分选方法,综述了近年...     

Green metrics for biologics

Biologics are the fastest growing segment of the pharmaceutical market, therefore, the environmental impact of manufacturing these drugs needs to be fully characterized. For monoclonal antibodies, in particular, several metrics have been identified as the manufacturing process is quite standardized for batch processes. This paper will provide an overview of carbon footprint analysis, process mass intensity (PMI), water related impact of energy (WARIEN) and life cycle assessment (LCA) as they have been applied to monoclonal antibody production. Further development and standardization of these tools will allow the industry to identify and implement new technologies that significantly lower the environmental impact of not only monoclonal antibody production but other modalities as well.     

非胺类CO2吸收剂的研究进展

针对CO₂所带来的全球气候变化问题,本文综述了可用于捕集CO₂的非胺类吸收剂类型,认为氨基酸盐、氨基酸-碳酸钾体系、离子液体、生物型吸收剂、钙基吸收剂分别具有较高的CO₂循环吸收负荷、低毒性、热稳定性好、较优的生物相容性、钙源易获取的优势,可以弥补胺类吸收剂在吸收-解吸CO₂时腐蚀性强、再生能耗高、对环境产生二次污染等方面的不足。氨基酸盐、氨基酸-碳酸钾体系可应用于具有一定规模的CO₂捕集工业中;离子液体可应用于精准、绿色环保去除CO₂工业中;生物型吸收剂可用于规模小、CO₂浓度低的工业中;钙基吸收剂可运用于CO₂浓度高的工业中。上述吸收剂皆具有一定的工业前景。     

三苯类废气污染及从业人员健康状况调查

为了开展国内精细化工产品生产使用中三苯(苯、甲苯、二甲苯)类废气排放和从业人员健康状况调查研究,为精细化工三苯类废气的治理提供政策依据和管理支持,促进精细化工行业的可持续发展,通过查阅大量相关文献资料,对国内相关企业三苯类废气的污染情况及从业人员健康状况进行调研。结果表明,所调研的皮具、地板、涂料、化工、陶瓷等行业都存在三苯类废气严重污染现象,对从业人员的健康也造成不同程度的损害,因此应加强对三苯类废气污染的治理工作。     

大气中活性气态汞的分析方法和赋存转化

活性气态汞(Reactive gaseous mercury,RGM),在大气环境中通常被认为是气态的氧化汞,主导大气汞沉降过程,对汞的全球循环至关重要.本文详细介绍了RGM的多种采样和分析方法,讨论并比较了当前技术的优势和局限性;对RGM在大气中的生成、赋存、清除等环境过程以及相关的机制进行了梳理,并探究各过程在大气...