Life cycle environmental and economic assessment of raw silk production in China

Abstract

The textile and apparel industry is an essential livelihood sector; nonetheless, its considerable resource and energy consumption throughout its life cycle substantially impacts human health and the environment. In this study, life cycle impact assessment was integrated with life cycle costing analysis to evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of raw silk production from cradle-to-gate. We aimed to identify key processes and materials in the production chain and pinpoint critical factors with substantial environmental and economic implications. The findings indicated that terrestrial ecotoxicity, freshwater ecotoxicity, marine ecotoxicity, human carcinogenic toxicity, and human non-carcinogenic toxicity were the primary environmental impact categories. Mulberry cultivation, accounting for 46 % of the total environmental impact, emerged as the principal environmental burden of raw silk production. Key materials affecting the environment included urea and potassium chloride in mulberry cultivation, electricity in silkworm farming, and steam and electricity in the silk reeling process. Economically, the total cost of raw silk production amounted to EUR 151.94 per kilogram, comprising internal costs of EUR 126.88 and external costs of EUR 25.06. Silk reeling was identified as the primary cost-driving process, accounting for 49.89 % of the total cost. Major cost contributors included steam and labor wages, which accounted for 43.68 % and 24.34 % of the total cost, respectively. Notably, the extensive use of steam in silk reeling, urea in mulberry cultivation, and electricity in silkworm farming substantially contributed to both economic and environmental burdens. To balance environmental sustainability with economic viability, it is recommended to reduce steam usage in silk reeling, minimize urea application in mulberry cultivation, optimize electricity consumption in silkworm farming, and enhance the comprehensive utilization of by-products.