TOX-TRAIN: The implementation of a TOXicity assessment Tool for pRActical evaluation of life-cycle Impacts of technologies
Ralph K. Rosenbaum, Morten Birkved, Peter Fantke
TOX-TRAIN is a 4-year project and its main objective is the development and implementation of a tool box to assess toxicological impacts related to the life-cycle of technologies. The USEtox model, developed under UNEP-SETAC auspices with contributions of the partners in this consortium, will be taken as a starting point. First, TOX-TRAIN will develop and implement estimation tools for emissions and chemical properties to USEtox for a number of compound groups, including ionic and amphiphilic substances, persistent bioaccumulating chemicals or metabolites, pesticides and biocides, substituted musks/fragrances, and metals, with a specific focus on assessing various types of uncertainty in emissions and properties. The compound groups are selected on the basis of use volumes, fate pattern complexity and main emission route relevance. The tools will be developed as open-source software. Second, the USEtox model will be extended with an indoor compartment model for typical exposure situations in working place and household settings as well as direct consumer exposure through a product (e.g. a directly applied cosmetic product). Third, a number of case studies will be performed in close collaboration between the commercial and non-commercial partners of TOX-TRAIN to test the USEtox tool box in practice. Finally, dissemination of the tool box will be done by a portfolio of actions, such as workshops, course developments, training of specific user groups, documentation material, and a user-friendly web-based implementation. In short, TOX-TRAIN will provide an excellent platform to enhance the transfer of knowledge between the commercial and non-commercial sector in the area of toxic life-cycle impact assessment of technologies. It is envisaged that the developed USEtox tool box has a great market potential as it can be directly used in the daily practice of life cycle assessment studies.
More information can be found at TOX-TRAINs website.
Collaboration: The European Union
Period 2011-2015
DANCER: Development of genetically modified cereals adapted to the increased CO2 levels of the future
Morten Birkved, Teunis Dijkman
The overall aim of the project is to develop genetically modified crops optimised for the future levels of CO2 and temperature. DTU’s work package is to develop Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) methods and models enabling the quantification of the potential environmental impacts (present and future) of the genetically modifies organism (GMO) crops, developed within the project. Further, it is the aim of the project to compare the obtained impact results from the LCIAs with those results obtained (by other project partners) by environmental risk assessment of GMOs.
The research project is carried out by the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences - Aarhus University, the Faculty of Life Sciences - University of Copenhagen, the Institute of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology and Environmental Technology - University of Southern Denmark, the National Environmental Research Institute - Aarhus University and the Department of Management Engineering - Technical University of Denmark.
Collaboration: Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries
Period 2010-2013
Sustainable biodiesel
Michael Z. Hauschild, Andreas Jørgensen, Ivan T. Herrmann
The aim of this project is to establish an enzymatic process for the production of biodiesel, which is both cost effective and environmentally superior to the conventional production of biodiesel based on chemical transesterification.
Through existing and improved life cycle assessment (LCA) tools, our division is engaged in evaluating the extent to which the enzymatic catalysed process is significantly better with respect to environmental sustainability compared to the chemically catalysed processing of biodiesel.
Collaboration: The Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation, Advanced technology platforms
Period: 2008-2012
Development and application of environmental Life Cycle Impact assessment Methods for imProved sustAinability Characterisation of Technologies (LC-Impact)
Michael Z. Hauschild, Ralph Rosenbaum, Henrik F. Larsen, Morten Birkved, Mikolaj Owsianiak, Nuno Cosme
LC-IMPACT aims at developing and further improve life cycle impact assessment methods, characterisation factors and normalisation factors in a coherent and scientifically sound way. It complements and builds upon the life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) work done in the context of the European platform for LCA and the UNEP-SETAC Life Cycle Initiative. The methodological improvements will be demonstrated in the context of three case studies, i.e. food production (margarine, fresh tomatoes and fish), paper production and printing, and car production and operation. The main objectives of the project include development of new impact assessment methods for categories that are not (commonly) included in life cycle impact assessments and categories for which model uncertainties are very high i.e. land use, water exploitation, resource use and noise. Furthermore, the project aims at providing spatially explicit characterization factors based on a global scale for land use, water exploitation, toxicants, priority air pollutants and nutrients. Finally, quantitative information on various sources of uncertainty in life cycle impact assessment methods and corresponding factors will be in focus. Learn more about the LC-Impact project at www.lc-impact.eu.
Collaboration: European Union
Period: 2009-2012
PROspective SUstaİnability Assessment of TEchnologies (PROSUİTE)
Michael Z. Hauschild, Arne Wangel, Louise Camilla Dreyer, Yan Dong
PROSUITE is a collaborative project of 25 academic, SMEs and industry partners working together to develop a coherent, scientifically sound methodology for the sustainability assessment of current and future technologies taking into account their entire life cycle. The project is supported by the European Commission under the 7th Framework Programme on Environment.
The aim of the PROSUITE project is to provide tools to assess the economic, environmental and social dimensions of technologies separately in a standardised, comprehensive, and as far as possible quantitative way and support aggregation across the three dimensions. The new tools, which are to be shared as free, open source software, will help SMEs, big industry and decision makers to compare options and make better, more sustainable choices. To demonstrate the methodology and tools, PROSUITE will deliver actual sustainability estimates for 4 technology cases: (1) Biorefinery technology to produce energy from organic waste, (2) Multifunctional mobile (telephone) devices containing rare metals that should be recycled, (3) Nanotechnology focusing on nanoparticles in new textiles and (4) Carbon storage and sequestration technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and large-scale industrial sources
Learn more about the PROSUITE project at www.prosuite.org
Collaboration: The European Union
Period: 2009-2013
Microcellular nano composite for substitution of Balsa wood and PVC core material - Nancore
Stig I. Olsen, Alexis Laurent
The project objective is to design a novel and cost-effective microcellular nanocomposite foam, with mechanical properties comparable to or better than those of balsa wood or PVC allowing for a substitution of these as core materials in lightweight composite sandwich structures. The material will be applicable for widespread industrial use e.g. windpower, rail, shipbuilding, etc. Scientific and technological tasks involve the development of the microcellular nanocomposites as well as structural and mechanical analyses of the new material. Work Package (WP) 8 is lead by the QSA division and aims to assess and optimise the developed technology as well as their applications from an environmental life cycle perspective, including cooperation with WP 9 on safety issues for nanoparticles in nanocomposites.
Collaboration: The European Union
Period: 2008-2012
Magnetic sorting and ultrasound sensor technologies for production of high purity secondary polyolefins from waste - W2Plastics
Stig I. Olsen, Tereza Lévová, Mirko Miseljic
The European consumption of plastics increased from 24.6 Mtons in 1993 to 39.7 Mtons in 2003 and its growth rate exceeds that of the economy as a whole. Primary plastic has a range of environmental impacts and needs many resources (about two kg oil for one kg plastic). Today, just one million out of 14 million ton polyolefin’s yearly sold in Europe is being recycled. W2 Plastics aims to develop sustainable recycling technology based on Magnetic Density Separation (MDS) and Ultrasound process control to recover high-purity polyolefin’s (PO) from high potential complex wastes. WP 3 aims to use Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for assessing and optimising the developed technology. Additionally, a methodology for social LCA of the systems is developed. Learn more about the W2 Plastics project at www.w2plastics.eu
Collaboration: The European Union
Period: 2008-2012
New high-quality mined nano materials mass produced for plastic and wood-plastic nano composites - MINANO
Stig I. Olsen, Mirko Miseljic
The project brings together partners representing end-user’s product know-how, formulation and processing technology and most importantly secure and reliable source of nano raw materials. Although there has been tremendous development in the area of nanocompounds with improved functionality, a need to develop an efficient, continuous method of large-scale, low-cost synthesis of nanomaterials exists. To answer to this need the following steps are suggested: 1) Integrate the functionalization of the high-quality nanoparticles directly on the continuous mass-production process already in the mining industry, 2) ensure controlled dispersion to the matrix material in large scale by cooperation between nanoparticle producer and end-product manufacturer, 3) assure sustainable and safe production and use by state-of-the-art life-cycle assessment. Based on the mass production process and cooperative value chain, we concentrate on three major functionalities: Flame retardancy, UV resistance and antimicrobial properties. These properties are achieved by functionalised Mg(OH)2, ZnO and Ag nanoparticles. The QSA division is responsible for environmental sustainability and safety assessment of the technology developments and to increase information related to environmental life cycle implications from the nanomaterials. Learn more about the MINANO project at minano.vtt.fi
Collaboration: The European Union
Period: 2010-2013
Environmental sustainability assessment of climate mitigation
Stig I. Olsen, Anoop Singh
The aim of this project is to analyze the Danish biofuels production system in terms of environmental benefits over fossil fuels by adopting a life cycle assessment methodology. Sustainability of biofuels production is also included in the study. If developed sustainably, the biofuel industry may be able to provide large quantities of biofuels with potentially minimal environmental impacts. The production of biomass (especially algae) sequesters huge quantity of carbon from atmosphere and can be an opportunity to efficiently utilise the nutrients from the industrial effluent and municipal wastewater. The utilisation of organic waste for the production of biofuels not only minimises the landfill requirement but also provide a cleaner fuel. Therefore, cultivation of biomass and utilisation of organic waste provide dual benefits, it provides biomass for the production of biofuels and also save our environment from air and water pollution. Therefore, to proof such hypothesis there is a need to conduct full life cycle assessment of biofuels to suggest the sustainability of biofuels in Danish conditions.
Collaboration: The DTU Climate Centre
Period: 2010-2012
Climate damage modelling in LCA – quantitative sustainability assessment of future technologies
Michael Z. Hauschild, Ingeborg Callesen, Stig I. Olsen
Climate change is a global threat to ecosystems and vast resources are invested to develop new climatically sustainable technologies. However, the assessments of such climatic sustainability are generally hindered by the absence of appropriate assessment tools of sufficiently broad scope. In the project, we will develop “a concept for quantitative environmental sustainability assessment of technologies (e.g. renewable energy) from a climate change and climate protection point of view”. Financed by the VILLUM KANN RASMUSSENS FOND
Collaboration: VILLUM KANN RASMUSSENS FOND
Period: 2010-2012
DW Bio filters: Sustainable drinking water treatment – biological filters
Michael Z. Hauschild, Henrik F. Larsen
WP1: The overall purpose of this work package (WP) is to develop, implement and apply tools to investigate if – and to which extent and with which diversity – microorganisms are present in the filter, which are able to conduct the selected process – e.g. if nitrifiers are present in a filter which should remove ammonium (NH4+). WP2: The overall purpose of this WP is to investigate controlling parameters for nitrification and iron/manganese removal, with emphasis on 1) kinetics; 2) interaction and inhibition of other compounds; 3) interaction with other microorganisms e.g. grasing by protozoan; 4) effect of carrier or support material and 5) Co-metabolic removal of organic micropollutants (e.g. pesticides and pharmaceuticals). The WP will provide insight in the controlling parameters for nitrification, iron and manganese removal and removal of micropollutants and the results will feed in to WP3. WP3: The overall purpose of this WP is to integrate the knowledge achieved from WP1 and WP2 at a large scale level and to evaluate the environmental sustainability of the process. The results will help identify the main impacts in the life cycle of the different technologies and support development of more sustainable solutions. The WP will provide science-based procedures for optimal operation of biological filters. This will include investigation and evaluations of the use and implementation of biological filters for drinking water treatment with focus on their sustainability and climate/greenhouse effect. The QSA division is involved in WP3 and will be responsible for the environmental sustainability assessments by use of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Learn more about the DW Biofilters project at www.dwbiofilters.dk
Collaboration: The Danish Council for Strategic Research
Period: 2010-2013
Evaluation of CDV-tool
Michael Hauschild, Henrik F. Larsen
In Nordic Eco labelling (The Swan) and EU eco labelling (The Flower) a toll based on the critical dilution volume (CDV) is used in ranking/scoring chemicals as related to their environmental hazard. This system has now been in use for several years and increasing pressure from interested parties on a revision is now observed. Eco labelling Denmark (and its Nordic partners) has therefore together with QSA started a research project on an evaluation of the CDV-tool. The goal of this project is to come up with recommendations regarding a revision of the tool. Chemical ranking and scoring systems known from both hazard and risk assessment, and from life cycle impact assessment will be included.
Collaboration: Danish Standards
Period: 2011
Innovation network on environmental technologies
Michael Hauschild, Henrik F. Larsen
The network gathers interested parties within the clean-tech areas soil, water, air and waste. It aims at finding new innovative, sustainable products and services across these areas. Furthermore, the facilitating of matchmaking, investigations of new markets and new products are part of the networking. Learn more about the Innovation network project on environmental technologies at www.inno-mt.dk
Collaboration: The Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation
Period: 2010-2014
Development and application of environmental Life Cycle Impact assessment Methods for imProved sustAinability Characterisation of Technologies, LC-Impact
Ralph Rosenbaum, Morten Birkved, Michael Z. Hauschild, Henrik F. Larsen, Mikolaj Owsianiak, Nuno Cosme
LC-IMPACT aims at developing and further improving life cycle impact assessment methods, characterisation factors and normalisation factors in a coherent and scientifically sound way. It complements and builds upon the life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) work done in the context of the European platform for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the UNEP-SETAC Life Cycle Initiative. The methodological improvements will be demonstrated in the context of three case studies, i.e. food production (margarine, fresh tomatoes and fish), paper production and printing and car production and operation. The main objectives of the project include development of new impact assessment methods for categories that are not (commonly) included in life cycle impact assessments and categories for which model uncertainties are very high i.e. land use, water exploitation, resource use and noise. Furthermore, the project aims at providing spatially explicit characterisation factors based on a global scale for land use, water exploitation, toxicants, priority air pollutants and nutrients. Finally, quantitative information on various sources of uncertainty in life cycle impact assessment methods and corresponding factors will be in focus. Learn more about the LC-IMPACT project at www.lc-impact.eu
Collaboration: The European Union
Period: 2009-2012
Risk-based management of chemicals and products in a circular economy at a global scale, RISKCYCLE
Michael Hauschild, Henrik F. Larsen
The primary aim of RISKCYCLE is to identify future R&D needs required to establish a risk-based assessment methodology for chemicals and products that will help reduce animal testing while ensuring the development of new chemicals and product management pattern leading to minimised risks for health and the environment. In order to achieve this goal, the first step will be to assemble and evaluate existing information on the chemicals and especially the additives used in consumer and industrial products. Many potential hazardous compounds are traded worldwide as additives in different products. RISKCYCLE will focus on the fate and behaviour of these additives in six sectors: textile, electronics, plastics, leather, paper and lubricants. In textile industry the use of additives will be studied, in the electronic industry and also in textile industry the use of flame retardants, specially brominated flame retardants such as PBDEs und HBCD will be analysed. In the leather industry, heavy metals such as chromium will be taken in account. The use of biocides in the paper industry will be another main concern of co-ordinated activities. How to deal with additives in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) will be addressed and LCA case studies on paper and plastics will be performed. Learn more about the RISKCYCLE project at www.wadef.com/projects/riskcycle
Collaboration: The European Union
Period: 2009-2012
USEtox – consensus model for environmental assessment of chemicals
Michael Z. Hauschild, Ralph Rosenbaum
QSA heads a taskforce under the auspices of SETAC-UNEP initiative. This work has resulted in a scientific consensus model USEtox TM, which is to be endorsed by UNEP as the global default model for use on chemical emissions in LCA. The methodology has been published in several papers in ISI journals (Int. Journal of LCA, Environmental Science and Technology), and a website for distributing and supporting the USEtox model has been constructed by DTU Management Engineering (www.usetox.org). Several workshops demonstrating the tool have been organised for industry (this autumn for Unilever, UK, Solvay, NL and Dow chemicals, US). An international USEtox seminar and course organised by DTU was web-streamed to 21 countries in April 2010. Learn more about USEtox at www.usetox.org
Period: Ongoing
The EU Commission’s technical guidance handbook
Michael Z. Hauschild
The project has created an overview of existing LCA methods and studies. Based on well-defined and transparent criteria, these have been analysed with specific focus on goal and scope dependent choices related to system boundaries, allocation principles, data quality and data sources etc. From this insight, recommendations have been developed for methodological choices in LCI and LCIA, for goal and scope definition and interpretation and on reporting and documentation of the LCA work relating to different scope situations. The recommendations have been presented in a Technical Guidance Handbook on LCA specifying and recommending methodological choices and conventions beyond the ISO standards for LCA for a number of typical scope situations. The handbook was released March 2010 and is the EU Commission’s methodological backbone of the International Life Cycle Data system (ILCD).
Collaboration: EU Joint Research Center, Ispra
Period: Finalised 2010
The EU Commission’s Technical Guidance Document on Life Cycle Impact Assessment
Michael Z. Hauschild
The objectives of the project are, based on well-defined and transparent criteria, to analyse existing LCIA methodologies with specific focus on the characterisation models and factors in all the most common impact categories, at midpoint as well as at endpoint level. On this basis, an LCIA framework is defined with characterisation methods and characterisation factors representing current best practice in support of the European Commission’s future recommendations on LCA for use in IPP, waste management and other policy issues to be presented as part of the Commission’s International Life Cycle Data system (ILCD). The project has a strong involvement of concerned stakeholders and intensive exchange with project commissioners.
Collaboration: EU Joint Research Center, Ispra
Period: Finalised 2011
LCA Center Denmark, the official Danish knowledge centre for dissemination and support of life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle approaches
Michael Z. Hauschild, Christine Molin
The centre supports companies in implementing an integrated product policy. This is done by offering a wide range of services like courses, networks, collection and distribution of information and support of tools and databases for life cycle thinking and LCA. LCA Center follows and - where relevant – participates in international activities in organisations like SETAC, ISO and UNEP. Outside Denmark, the centre offers a wide range of consultancy services to companies and institutions including policy studies, life cycle assessments, as well as coaching and training.
Collaboration: Danish EPA
Period: Finalised (Force Technology, IPU and DTU still maintain the web-page, update the calendar, and publish LCA-newsletters)
Development project on climate teaching – tools for sustainability Cradle2Cradle and LCA
Michael Z. Hauschild, Christine Molin
Conference for HTX-teachers and other stakeholders. The purpose of the conference is to give the participants knowledge in the C2C thinking and inspiration for further development of teaching in the technology courses, social science courses and chemistry. In addition a series of workshops will demonstrate how the teachers have worked with C2C and LCA in their teaching.
Colaboration: HTX and Danish Ministry of Education
Period: Finalised 2010
Nordic Life Cycle Association – NorLCA
Michael Z. Hauschild, Christine Molin
Establishing the Nordic Life Cycle Association (NorLCA) network target all levels of life cycle thinking. This new non-profit membership organisation is intended to act as a multidisciplinary platform focused on networking activities and dissemination of information. It is the ambition to establish a platform where the more central life cycle players can interact with the more marginal players, as no such platform exists today. The intentions are also to bring together both the formal and informal life cycle networks, which have emerged over the last decade and establish easy accessible information and knowledge exchange channels between these networks. NorLCA has the single and overall goal of facilitating and supporting the broader use of life cycle related concepts.
Collaboration: The Nordic Council of Ministers
Period: 2004-ongoing