Development of an approach for the comprehensive life cycle assessment of an epoxy resin system in relation to toxicity categories

Kurzfassung

Due to the large number of chemicals used in polymer systems, creating a complete life cycle assessment including manufacturing, use-phase as well as end-of-life, is a major challenge. This Topic is examined in more detail using the example of an epoxy resin system. In addition to the use of a resin, a large number of reactive diluents and hardeners are used, for example, to optimally adapt these systems to their intended applications. Due to this complexity, simplified reference systems have often been used in previous studies in order to keep the effort for the life cycle inventory within manageable limits. To identify potentially important gaps in the data situation and other problems in the context of a life cycle assessment of polymer systems, a reference system is compared with a product system supplemented with the help of a literature study with regard to the life cycle inventory and the life cycle impact assessment. In order to be able to make a consistent comparison, the modelling is based on the methodology of Hischier et. al, which also forms the background for the Ecoinvent database used (Hischier et al. 2005). To supplement missing data, a literature study is first carried out to determine the chemical composition of the reactive diluents and hardeners analyzed in more detail. The product system under investigation is then modelled using a commercial LCA database and modelling software. During this modelling, the diversity of possible manufacturing processes for individual essential base chemicals and the use of a supplemental database containing additional chemicals also play an important role. In order to be able to determine differences in the subsequent impact indicator results more precisely, special attention is paid to the toxicity categories in the context of the Environmental Footprint assessment method in addition to the frequently used impact category of climate change. To check for any differences, a sensitivity analysis is carried out within these categories to recognize important differences in the impact indicator results in accordance with DIN EN ISO 14044. In this way, differences potentially influencing the impact indicator results of the aforementioned impact categories have been identified so far. Among other factors, they can be attributed to the use of different additives and manufacturing processes and should be given greater consideration in the future.