Ökobilanzierung von Holz in Fahrzeugstrukturen

Kurzfassung

With current situation regarding environmental politics and EU 2030 climate & energy framework, there is a search for ecological alternatives in almost all sectors of the industry (European Commission, 2021). The transport sector is globally seen a major emitter of CO2 over the years, with 24 % of all emissions from all sectors, causing nearly 8,1 Gt C02 per year (International Energy Agency, 2019). Nearly half (45,1 %) from these emissions come from passenger cars. Concerns about these potential greenhouse gas emissions cause increasing motivation and pressure from decision makers to reduce emissions and ecological impact. Among options for reducing CO2- emissions with alternative fuels, there is a search for light and sustainable materials, which can substitute currently used conventional materials. The present study is a comparative life cycle analysis of a conventional and a hybrid alternative door impact beam. The conventional door impact beam is currently used door impact beam is made from high strength steel, the alterative one is made of plywood with a tension strip from steel. The technical feasibility and recycling potential of the alternative door impact beam has been studied and confirmed in scientific papers in the last years. However, the ecological budget with respect to life-time CO2 emissions is still missing. Therefore, the present study has been performed based on the method of life cycle assessment according to the principles of ISO 14040 and ISO 14044. This study should compare both door impact beams in terms of CO2-emissions, both in production, during use and when disposed. The production phase shows that the hybrid alternative door beam is causing noticeably less emissions. The further analysis displays, that the use phase has the biggest influence on the emissions. Also, with alternative fuels and different electricity sources, there is a big potential in the mitigation of CO2-emissions, since the emissions in use phase are very low. The disposal phase has very low impact on the overall emissions in both cases.