Perspective
Some of the challenges faced by the Composites Industry in its bid to become more sustainable
The Composites Industry needs to participate in future circular chemical economies. Cooperation, standardisation and increased availability of transparent industry data for life cycle analysis, are seen as critical to a more sustainable future.
Paper
Unraveling the climate neutrality of wood derivatives and biopolymers
This work compares fossil-based polymers to wood derivatives and polylactic acid using a lifecycle scenario analysis. The aim is to unravel the climate neutrality and advantages of bio-based polymers like wood derivatives.
Paper
Eco-design of the remembrance poppy: a life cycle assessment study
Shifting from plastic to a paper-based design significantly reduces the environmental impacts of the UK Remembrance Poppy.
Paper
Towards sustainable synthesis: a life cycle assessment of polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1) by green mechanosynthesis
Mechanochemistry represents an emerging technology that facilitates chemical reactions through the application of mechanical energy.
Paper
Life cycle optimisation tool development for process systems and centralised supply chain design
The research introduces a life cycle assessment optimisation model with software featuring a graphical interface. The toolbox enables integrating LCA and multi-objective optimisation, providing insights on emissions and economic benefits.
Paper
Biosurfactants' production with substrates from the sugar industry – environmental, cost, market, and social aspects
Transforming today's products and production processes towards a more sustainable bio-economy requires the consideration of environmental, cost and market related, as well as social aspects.
Paper
Substituting fossil-based with bio-based chemicals: the case of limonene as a greener pore expander for micellar templated silica
Limonene from citrus peel waste is applied as a renewable expander molecule for the synthesis of large-mesopore templated silica. Comparative life cycle assessment with the conventional expander TMB demonstrates the lower environmental impact.
About this collection
RSC Sustainability welcomes all solutions-focused research dedicated to solving sustainability challenges. Life cycle assessments are a critical tool in evaluating how sustainable and environmentally friendly a product or process truly is, by accounting for the impact of each individual step, from initial extraction of starting materials all the way through production, distribution, and use to the final fate of each component. These analyses can highlight where changes can be made to increase efficiency and reduce waste.