EUROPEAN LIFE-CYCLE INVENTORY FOR DETERGENT SURFACTANTS PRODUCTION

A Life-Cycle Analysis Inventory (LCI) has been compiled by the Europea n LCI Surfactant Study Group (CEFIC/ECOSOL) and Franklin Associates Li mited for the production of major surfactants presently used in Europe an detergent products, specifically LAS, AS, AES, soap, SAS, AE and AP G. These are derived from petrochemical and oleochemical intermediates . The Life-Cycle Inventory is comprehensive and includes energy and ma terial requirements as well as environmental emissions and solid waste associated with all phases of surfactant production. A Peer Review Pa nel has reviewed the study in accordance with the principles recommend ed by SETAC. The study shows that each system has an impact on the env ironment via the consumption of a broad variety of resources such as c rude oil, natural gas, agricultural products and minerals for material feedstock, energy generation and transport purposes. Also environment al releases occur during the production and transport of all surfactan t systems. Based on the findings, no unequivocal technical rationale e xists far claiming overall environmental superiority neither for produ ction of individual surfactants nor for the various options for sourci ng from petrochemical and oleochemical/agricultural feedstocks and min erals. The value of the study lies in allowing each manufacturer to as sess opportunities for improving the environmental profile of their su rfactants and intermediates. The study has demonstrated the need for c o-operation with organisations located earlier as well as later in the product Life-Cycle chain. Furthermore, the findings have indicated th at there is a benefit in looking beyond the scope of the surfactant pr oducers, for example by assessments of energy generation systems, and by making emission control techniques available on a broader basis. Th e European LCI Surfactant Study Group hopes that publication of these findings will contribute to environmental improvements via a construct ive use of the data and to objective rather than judgmental assessment s of the environmental profile of surfactant production.