Life cycle assessment as a circular economy strategy to select eco-efficient raw materials for particleboard production

Abstract

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is applied for choosing and comparing circular alternatives, comprising a bicomponent polyurethane resin based on castor oil (PU) and sugarcane bagasse (SB) particles to conventional materials using urea formaldehyde (UF) and eucalyptus particles, for the production of 1 m³ of medium-density particleboard (MDP), from cradle-to-gate, with five different formulations. Databases were used in life cycle inventory and the ReCiPe impact method was selected at midpoint level. The eco-efficiency index, based on modulus of rupture and CO₂ emissions, revealed that the best condition was the panels using alternative materials, as it can reduce up to 74 % the environmental burdens investigated. The panel using only circular materials showed feasible technical performance according with the physical-mechanical properties considered, generating the best eco-efficiency indicator (0,154 MPa/CO₂ eq.). These results build a foundation for reconsidering the selection of raw materials in large-scale MDP production, potentially leading to the adoption of more sustainable practices.