ac9f5b45-0d05-4f72-8fe4-00054d78cb77Long Chain Polyether Polyols mix polymerisation of propylene oxideproduction mix, at plantMolecular weight > 1000 g/molProcessesIndustry dataISOPAThe main data source was a data collection from European producers of flexible polyether polyol. Primary data on gate-to-gate flexible polyether polyol production is derived from site-specific information for processes under operational control supplied by the participating companies of this study. Six different producers of flexible polyether polyols with seven plants in three European countries participated in the primary data collection. They cover 90% polyether polyol producers in Europe (EU27) in 2010. The data for the upstream supply chain until the precursors are taken from the GaBi Database'11 of the software system GaBi 5. For the main precursor propylene oxide primary data was collected.76Primary production data for the flexible polyols production is from six different suppliers in the EU (Belgium, Netherlands, and Spain). Fuel and energy inputs in the system reflect average European conditions and whenever applicable, site specific conditions were applied, to reflect representative situations. Therefore, the study results are intended to be applicable within EU boundaries and in order to be applied in other regions adjustments might be required. Flexible polyols imported into Europe were not considered in this Eco-profile.Commercial synthesis of flexible polyether polyols involves the following major stages:
Preparation of the initiator solution
Addition of propylene oxide (polymerisation step)
Filtration and finishing of the flexible polyether polyols.
The background system is addressed as follows:
Electricity, Thermal energy: The electricity (and thermal energy as by-product) used is modelled according to the individual country-specific situation. The country-specific modelling is achieved on multiple levels. Firstly the individual power plants in service are modelled according to the current national grid. This includes net losses and imported electricity. Second, the national emission and efficiency standards of the power plants are modelled. Third, the country-specific fuel supply (share of resources used, by import and / or domestic supply) including the country-specific properties (e.g. element and energy contents) are accounted for. Fourth, the import, transport, mining and exploration processes for the energy carrier supply chain are modelled according to the specific situation of each power-producing country. The different mining and exploration techniques (emissions and efficiencies) in the different exploration countries are accounted for according to current engineering knowledge and information.
Steam: The steam supply is modelled according to the individual country-specific situation with regard to the technology efficiencies and energy carriers used. Efficiencies range from 85% to 95% in relation to the representative energy carrier (gas, oil, coal). Coal, crude oil and natural gas used for the generation of steam are modelled according to the specific import situation (see electricity).
Energy carriers: Coal, crude oil, natural gas and uranium are modelled according to the specific import situation (see electricity).
Refinery products: Diesel, gasoline, technical gases, fuel oils, basic oils and residues such as bitumen are modelled via a country-specific, refinery parameterized model. The refinery model represents the current national standard in refinery techniques (e.g. emission level, internal energy consumption,...) as well as the individual country-specific product output spectrum, which can be quite different from country to country. Hence the refinery products used show the individual country-specific use of resources. The supply of crude oil is modelled, again, according to the country-specific crude oil situation with the respective properties of the resources.Flexible polyols are mainly used in the manufacture of flexible polyurethane foams used in upholstery, mattresses and automotive seats. Other uses for flexible polyols include polyurethane elastomers and coatings.ISOPA_Flexible Polyols Production.jpgThe calculation follows the vertical calculation methodology, i.e. that the averaging is done after modelling the specific processes. Restrictions on competition and confidentiality do not allow displaying and describing the systems and analysing details.LCI resultAttributionalNoneAllocation - market valueAllocation - net calorific valueAllocation - massNoneAll data used in the calculation of the LCI results refer to net calorific value.NoneIn the foreground processes all relevant flows were considered, trying to avoid any cut-off of material and energy flows. In single cases additives used in the flexible polyols unit process (<0.1 % m/m of product output) were neglected. In all cases it was assured that no hazardous substances or metals were present in this neglected part.
According to the GaBi Databases 2011, used in the background processes, at least 95 % of mass and energy of the input and output flows were covered and 98 % of their environmental relevance (according to expert judgment) was considered, hence an influence of cut-offs less than 1 % on the total in expected. All transports in the pre-chain contribute maximum 0.2% to the overall environmental burden. Including production the contribution of all transports is expected to be less than 1 %, thus transports are excluded from this investigation.None90% coverage of the European industry.NoneThe data set represents the specific situation in Europe, focusing on the main technologies used for producing flexible polyols in Europe. Primary production data for the flexible polyols production is from six different suppliers in the EU.NoneGaBi databases90.0The considered participants covered 90% of the flexible polyether polyol European production in 2010.European producers act as a main source of data for the production of flexible polyether polyol on the basis of a direct questionnaire. Primary data on gate-to-gate flexible polyether polyol production is derived from site specific information for processes under operational control supplied by the participating companies of this study. The data for the upstream supply chain until the precursors are taken from the GaBi Database'11 of the software system GaBi 5. For the main precursor propylene oxide primary data was collected.2010The LCI data set should be used for LCI/ LCA studies where flexible polyether polyols are used along the production chain. Flexible polyether polyols are mainly used in the manufacture of flexible polyurethane foams used in upholstery, mattresses and automotive seats. Other uses for flexible polyether polyols include polyurethane elastomers and coatings.All relevant flows quantifiedThe internal review was done by several iteration steps concerning raw data validation, completeness and consistency of modelling with regard to ISO 14040 and 14044.thinkstepThe LCI method applied is in compliance with ISO 14040 and 14044. The documentation includes all relevant information in view of the data quality and scope of the application of the respective LCI result / data set. The dataset represents the state-of-the-art in view of the referenced functional unit.The project included regular milestone meetings with representatives of all participating producers and the programme manager. The reviewer participated in these meetings. In addition, a review meeting between the LCA practitioner and the reviewer was held, including a model and database review, and spot checks of data and calculations.DEKRA IndThe LCA practitioner has demonstrated a very good competence and experience, with a track record of LCA projects in the chemical and plastics industry. A dominance analysis was conducted to identify sensitive data requirements prior to the data collection. Original data were collected for all foreground processes, while background process data were taken from the GaBi database which is likewise of good quality.
The precursor propylene oxide (PO) was shown to have the most substantial influence on the results. Although the precision of the dataset was not formally calculated by means of a statistical analysis, it is assessed to be very good for two reasons: first, because of the clear procedure adopted, and second, because of the robustness achieved by being based upon an average of different discrete European production sites. The sites were individually analysed and specifically modelled, representing the respective technologies. The deviation among the degree of detail and consistency was found to be low.
Calculation and reporting were subject to extensive analysis and review. As a result, this dataset is assessed to be a reliable and high-quality representation of long chain polyol production in Europe.Eco-profiles and Environmental Declarations, Version 2.0 (April 2011)Fully compliantFully compliantFully compliantFully compliantFully compliantNot definedGaBi conformity systemFully compliantFully compliantFully compliantFully compliantFully compliantNot definedILCD Data Network - Entry-levelNot definedNot definedFully compliantNot definedNot definedNot definedISOPAPlasticsEurope Eco-profilesThis eco-profile (LCI) is intended to be used as »cradle-to-gate« building blocks of life cycle assessment (LCA) studies of defined applications or products. LCA studies considering the full life cycle (»cradle-to-grave«) of an application or product allow for comparative assertions to be derived. It is essential to note that comparisons cannot be made at the level of the polymer or its precursors. In order to compare the performance of different materials, the whole life cycle and the effects of relevant life cycle parameters must be considered. It is intended to be used by member companies, to support product-orientated environmental management; by users of plastics, as a building block of life cycle assessment (LCA) studies of individual products; and by other interested parties, as a source of life cycle information.thinkstep2017-01-01T00:00:00+01:00ILCD format 1.1thinkstep2017-01-01T00:00:00+01:0011.00.000Data set finalised; entirely publishedISOPAtrueOtherGaBi (source code, database including extension modules and single data sets, documentation) remains property of thinkstep AG. thinkstep AG delivers GaBi licenses comprising data storage medium and manual as ordered by the customer. The license guarantees the right of use for one installation of GaBi. Further installations using the same license are not permitted. Additional licenses are only valid if the licensee holds at least one main license. Licenses are not transferable and must only be used within the licensee's organisation. Data sets may be copied for internal use. The number of copies is restricted to the number of licenses of the software system GaBi the licensee owns. The right of use is exclusively valid for the licensee. All rights reserved.Long Chain Polyether Polyols (flexible)Output110.000Mixed primary / secondaryUnknown derivation