Life cycle assessment of sugarcane-based ethanol production in the province of Tucumán, Argentina

GAROLERA DE NUCCI, L. PATRICIA; TONATTO, MARIO JAVIER; ROMERO, E. R.; CÁRDENAS, GERÓNIMO J.; MELE, FERNANDO DANIEL

San Miguel de Tucumán

Conferencia; XXX ISSCT 2019 Congress; 2019

Sociedad Argentina de Técnicos de la Caña de Azúcar (SATCA)

Productionof sugarcane, as well as bioethanol from sugarcane, are among the mostimportant activities in Tucuman and the Northwestern (NW) Region of Argentina.This study shows the application of life cycle assessment (LCA) to such activities.LCA is an appropriate tool to estimate the environmental burden associated witha product or process during the entire life cycle from cradle (extraction ofraw materials) to grave (disposal). This technique includes identifying critical process steps with potential for improvements and makes an important contribution in decision-making. LCA is performed according to the procedures included in the ISO 14040 standards. The aim of this poster is to present the environmental profile of bioethanol from sugarcane in the province of Tucumán (NW Region), and evaluate a set of relevant environmental impacts through the LCAtechnique. The study also provides information about the impact of the sugarcane agricultural and industrial activities for the different stages ofthe production process and through different impact categories, which together constitute the environmental footprint of biofuels.