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LCA Case Studies
LCA of Cleaning and Degreasing Agents in the Metal Industry
Lucie H. M. Vollebregt; Jeroen Terwoert
Corresponding author:: Lucie H.M. Vollebregt, Chemiewinkel, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 20242, 1000 HE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
An LCA of cleaning and degreasing agents in the metal industry was carried out. A compari-son was made between a solvent product (VOC: a mixture of dearomatised hydrocarbons) and two products derived from vegetable oils (VOFA: rapeseed methyl ester and ethylhexyl laurate derived from coconut oil). The comparison was based on 1000 kg of used product. Results from the inventory and characterisation show that VOFA are environmentally favourable on aspects related to their low volatility and their use of renewable resources. However, they are less favourable on aspects predominantly related to cultivation of the crops. The environmental favour-ability of VOFA compared to VOC is strongly dependent upon the amounts needed for the task to be performed. Incorporation of data from practical experience concerning the use and waste treatment of VOFA in the metal industry may possibly further improve the environmental profile of VOFA | | Keywords: cleaning and degreasing agents, metal industry, LCA; coconut oil, ethylhexyl laurate, cleaning and degreasing agents, LCA; ethylhexyl laurate, cleaning and degreasing agents, LCA; LCA, cleaning and degreasing agents, metal industry; metal industry, cleaning and degreasing agents, LCA; rapeseed methyl esters, cleaning and degreasing agents, metal industry, LCA; vegetable oils, ethylhexyl laurate, cleaning and degreasing agents, metal industry, LCA |
3 LCA (1) 12-17 (1998)
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