Life cycle assessment (LCA) of newsprint production at an integrated mill

This research project is intended to propose a systematic procedure to interpret the results of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies oriented towards the identification of improvement opportunities for environmental performance, taking into account parameter uncertainties. The proposed approach is illustrated with a case study from the pulp and paper industry, namely the production of standard newsprint from raw material extraction to newsprint distribution.; For the system studied in this project, a LCA baseline model was developed including all the elements required by the ISO guidelines. Special attention was focused on system modeling and methodological choices which were based on the context of the study, process know how and previous related studies. Interaction with mill personnel as well as with experts in the pulp and paper industry and LCA allowed for the refining of the model in order to better reflect the real system. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...