METHODOLOGY OF THE EUROPEAN LIFE-CYCLE INVENTORY FOR DETERGENT SURFACTANTS PRODUCTION

This manuscript describes the methodology used by Franklin Associates Limited for the Life-Cycle Inventory for production of major surfactan ts consumed in Europe. This study was conducted with the European LCI Surfactant Study Group (CEFIC). These surfactants are derived from a b road variety of materials, such as petrochemical and oleochemical inte rmediates and minerals. Their Life-Cycle Inventory is comprehensive an d includes energy and material requirements as well as environmental e missions and solid waste associated with all phases of surfactant prod uction. This manuscript describes in detail the methodology of the stu dy in terms of system boundaries and geographic scope, co-product allo cation procedures, assessment of environmental emissions, as well as e nergy and material requirements. A description is given of the procedu res followed during the compilation and further treatment of process-r elated data from the various companies involved in the study. Data on energy production and the associated energy-related emissions were obt ained for Europe, the Far East and the USA, where these surfactants an d their intermediates are produced and transported. The methodology an d the databases used were reviewed with a Peer Review Panel.