Life-Cycle Assessment for Wood-Fired Boilers Used in the Wood Products Industry*

2017 ◽  
Vol 67 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 381-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maureen E. Puettmann ◽  
Michael Milota
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Wood Products Industry

scholarly journals Environmental Product Declarations of Structural Wood: A Review of Impacts and Potential Pitfalls for Practice

Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 362
Author(s):  
Freja Nygaard Rasmussen ◽  
Camilla Ernst Andersen ◽  
Alexandra Wittchen ◽  
Rasmus Nøddegaard Hansen ◽  
Harpa Birgisdóttir
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Product Category ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Data Uncertainty ◽  
Product Categories ◽  
Laminated Veneer Lumber ◽  
Environmental Product Declarations ◽  
Timber Products

The use of wood and timber products in the construction of buildings is repeatedly pointed towards as a mean for lowering the environmental footprint. With several countries preparing regulation for life cycle assessment of buildings, practitioners from industry will presumably look to the pool of data on wood products found in environmental product declarations (EPDs). However, the EPDs may vary broadly in terms of reporting and results. This study provides a comprehensive review of 81 third-party verified EN 15804 EPDs of cross laminated timber (CLT), glulam, laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and timber. The 81 EPDs represent 86 different products and 152 different product scenarios. The EPDs mainly represent European production, but also North America and Australia/New Zealand productions are represented. Reported global warming potential (GWP) from the EPDs vary within each of the investigated product categories, due to density of the products and the end-of-life scenarios applied. Median results per kg of product, excluding the biogenic CO2, are found at 0.26, 0.24, and 0.17 kg CO2e for CLT, glulam, and timber, respectively. Results further showed that the correlation between GWP and other impact categories is limited. Analysis of the inherent data uncertainty showed to add up to ±41% to reported impacts when assessed with an uncertainty method from the literature. However, in some of the average EPDs, even larger uncertainties of up to 90% for GWP are reported. Life cycle assessment practitioners can use the median values from this study as generic data in their assessments of buildings. To make the EPDs easier to use for practitioners, a more detailed coordination between EPD programs and their product category rules is recommended, as well as digitalization of EPD data.

scholarly journals Validation of Sustainability Benchmarking Tool in the Context of Value-Added Wood Products Manufacturing Activities

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cagatay Tasdemir ◽  
Rado Gazo
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Base Points

The primary objective of this study was to validate the sustainability benchmarking tool (SBT) framework proposed by the authors in a previous study. The SBT framework is focused on benchmarking triple bottom line (TBL) sustainability through exhaustive use of lean, six-sigma, and life cycle assessment (LCA). During the validation, sustainability performance of a value-added wood products’ production line was assessed and improved through deployment of the SBT framework. Strengths and weaknesses of the system were identified within the scope of the bronze frontier maturity level of the framework and tackled through a six-step analytical and quantitative reasoning methodology. The secondary objective of the study was to document how value-added wood products industries can take advantage of natural properties of wood to become frontiers of sustainability innovation. In the end, true sustainability performance of the target facility was improved by 2.37 base points, while economic and environmental performance was increased from being a system weakness to achieving an acceptable index score benchmark of 8.41 and system strength level of 9.31, respectively. The social sustainability score increased by 2.02 base points as a function of a better gender bias ratio. The financial performance of the system improved from a 33% loss to 46.23% profit in the post-improvement state. Reductions in CO2 emissions (55.16%), energy consumption (50.31%), solid waste generation (72.03%), non-value-added-time (89.30%), and cost performance (64.77%) were other significant achievements of the study. In the end, the SBT framework was successfully validated at the facility level, and the target facility evolved into a leaner, cleaner, and more responsible version of itself. This study empirically documents how synergies between lean, sustainability, six-sigma and life cycle assessment concepts outweigh their divergences and demonstrates the viability of the SBT framework.

scholarly journals Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) Produced in Western Washington: The Role of Logistics and Wood Species Mix

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy Chen ◽  
Francesca Pierobon ◽  
Indroneil Ganguly
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Wood Species ◽  
Picea Sitchensis ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Cross Laminated Timber ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
Western Washington ◽  
Manufacturing Facilities

The use of cross-laminated timber (CLT), as an environmentally sustainable building material, has generated significant interest among the wood products industry, architects and policy makers in Washington State. However, the environmental impacts of CLT panels can vary significantly depending on material logistics and wood species mix. This study developed a regionally specific cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment of CLT produced in western Washington. Specifically, this study focused on transportation logistics, mill location, and relevant wood species mixes to provide a comparative analysis for CLT produced in the region. For this study, five sawmills (potential lamstock suppliers) in western Washington were selected along with two hypothetical CLT mills. The results show that the location of lumber suppliers, in reference to the CLT manufacturing facilities, and the wood species mix are important factors in determining the total environmental impacts of the CLT production. Additionally, changing wood species used for lumber from a heavier species such as Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) to a lighter species such as Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) could generate significant reduction in the global warming potential (GWP) of CLT. Given the size and location of the CLT manufacturing facilities, the mills can achieve up to 14% reduction in the overall GWP of the CLT panels by sourcing the lumber locally and using lighter wood species.

scholarly journals Holzprodukte in vergleichenden Ökobilanzen | Wood Products in Comparative Life Cycle Assessment Studies

1999 ◽  
Vol 150 (3) ◽  
pp. 96-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Werner ◽  
Tina Künniger ◽  
Klaus Richter
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Product System ◽  
Comparative Life Cycle Assessment

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) quantifies the potential environmental impacts of a product system throughout its life cycle. LCA methods are discussed taking into account the exceptional position of forestry and wood products. The results of three studies are presented where wood products are being compared to alternative products.

scholarly journals Life Cycle Assessment of North American Laminated Strand Lumber (LSL) Production

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
Poonam Khatri ◽  
◽  
Kamalakanta Sahoo ◽  
Richard Bergman ◽  
Maureen Puettmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
North American ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Resource Extraction ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Cradle To Gate ◽  
Whole Life Cycle ◽  
Lca Results

Raw materials for buildings and construction account for more than 35% of global primary energy use and nearly 40% of energy-related CO2 emissions. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasized the drastic reduction in GHG emissions and thus, wood products with very low or negative carbon footprint materials can play an important role. In this study, a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) approach was followed to quantify the environmental impacts of laminated strand lumber (LSL). The inventory data represented North American LSL production in terms of input materials, including wood and resin, electricity and fuel use, and production facility emissions for the 2019 production year. The contribution of cradle-to-gate life cycle stages was substantial (>70%) towards the total (cradle-to-grave) environmental impacts of LSL. The cradle-to-gate LCA results per m³ LSL were estimated to be 275 kg CO2 eq global warming, 39.5 kg O3eq smog formation, 1.7 kg SO2 eq acidification, 0.2 kg N eq eutrophication, and 598 MJ fossil fuel depletion. Resin production as a part of resource extraction contributed 124 kg CO2 eq (45%). The most relevant unit processes in their decreasing contribution to their cradle-to-grave GW impacts were resource extraction, end-of-life (EoL), transportation (resources and product), and LSL manufacturing. Results of sensitivity analysis showed that the use of adhesive, consumption of electricity, and transport distance had the greatest influences on the LCA results. Considering the whole life cycle of the LSL, the final product stored 1,010 kg CO2 eq/m³ of LSL, roughly two times more greenhouse gas emissions over than what was released (493 kg CO2 eq/m³ of LSL) from cradle-to-grave. Overall, LSL has a negative GW impact and acts as a carbon sink if used in the construction sector. The study results are intended to be important for future studies, including waste disposal and recycling strategies to optimize environmental trade-offs.

scholarly journals Life Cycle Assessment of Reprocessed Cross Laminated Timber in Latvia

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-70
Author(s):  
Ilze Vamza ◽  
Fabian Diaz ◽  
Peteris Resnais ◽  
Antra Radziņa ◽  
Dagnija Blumberga
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Cross Laminated Timber ◽  
Business As Usual ◽  
Specific Project ◽  
Global Population

Abstract It is expected that Cross-laminated timber (CLT) and other engineered wood products will experience rapid growth in the coming years. Global population growth is requiring more housing units, at the same time the negative impact of construction industry cannot stay in the same level as today. Alternatives for concrete and steel reinforced structures are being explored. CLT has proven to be an excellent substitution for concrete regarding construction of buildings up to eight storeys high. In addition to much lower environmental impact, construction process using CLT takes significantly less time due to pre-cut shapes required for specific project. Despite mentioned benefits, there are considerable amount of CLT cuttings generated in this process. Due to irregular shape and small dimensions of these cuttings they are useless for further use in construction. By applying re-processing technology described in this paper, around 70 % of generated cuttings can be re-processed into new CLT panels. In this paper we are evaluating the environmental benefits of re-processing these cuttings into new CLT panels versus business-as-usual scenario with waste disposal. Life cycle assessment results showed significant reduction of environmental impact for the scenario of CLT cutting re-processing.

scholarly journals Life Cycle Assessment of Secondary Mangrove Forest in Bintuni Bay,West Papua, Indonesia

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 616-627
Author(s):  
Rocky Marius de Ramos ◽  
Michael Lochinvar S. Abundo ◽  
Evelyn B. Taboada
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Forest Residues ◽  
Power Sources ◽  
West Papua ◽  
Environment Study ◽  
The Impact

The life cycle assessment is conducted in order to assess the impact of mangrove woodchip production in Bintuni bay, West Papua Indonesia on the environment. Study includes the analysis of non-renewable energy use (MJ), global warming potential or carbon footprint (kg CO2), acidification potential (kg SO2) and ozone creation potential (kg O3) of mangrove logging, processing and shipment. Mangrove woodchip production consumes 960 MJ of non-renewable energy and gives out 59.59 kg CO2, .383 kg SO2 and 30.39 kg O3, which is the lowest in comparison with other wood products. Mangrove processing incur less fuel because it is delivered in bulk to the processing area via barges in comparison to other wood products The current shipping of mangrove woodchips to customers has the greatest environmental impact because of the use of bunker fuel. The processing of mangrove woodchips used diesel exclusively for fuel in its power sources. Forest residues from logging can be a source of renewable fuel and may also be another source of new products.

scholarly journals Comparison of wooden and conventional houses sustainability: Increasing application of modified wood in R. of Macedonia

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (3 Part B) ◽  
pp. 1943-1955
Author(s):  
Aleksandar Petrovski ◽  
Jelena Ivanovic-Sekularac ◽  
Nenad Sekularac
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Residential Building ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Conventional Concrete ◽  
The Republic

The residential sector in Republic of North Macedonia, situated in south-east Europe, is responsible for the consumption of significant amounts of resources and for the production of large amount of emissions and waste. The increased application of wood products can substantially improve these conditions and contribute towards increasing the sustainability in the construction industry and the creation of sustainable homes. The contribution of this paper is the simulation of four different alternatives of residential buildings in the Republic of North Macedonia, evaluated in terms of energy performance and life-cycle assessment for the "cradle to gate" phase. The results of this study revealed that by replacing conventional concrete and masonry constructions with wooden constructions in low-rise family houses, the carbon emissions can be reduced up to 145%. The contribution of this paper is the simulation and analysis of the energy performance by using building performance simulation tools and life-cycle assessment of a residential building and its optimization through several models. The results give significant insight on the influence that the different construction materials have on the environment and buildings performance. Also, the research enables stimulation of the construction industry in utilizing wooden structures and delivering legislation that could increase their use. These actions would provide means for the development of sustainable buildings, neighborhoods and sustainable development of the Republic of North Macedonia.

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