Comparative global warming potential assessment of eight microcrystalline cellulose manufacturing systems

In this study, we conducted a comparative global warming potential assessment of eight microcrystalline cellulose manufacturing systems using life cycle assessment software and global warming potential (GWP) as a measure of environmental burden. The studied systems included both non-integrated (stand-alone system) and integrated (located within the chemical pulp mill) manufacturing systems. The results indicate that the Non-integrated AaltoCell™ system has lower GWP than the Non-integrated market MCC systems as well as slightly lower GWP than the AaltoCell™ plant integrated to chemical pulp mill systems. However, the lowest GWP was produced by the AaltoCell™ plant integrated to chemical pulp mill due to use of unbleached pulp as a raw material. Our results indicate that the relative shares of chemical pulp, heat, ammonia and electricity processes contribute to a very large share of the GWP results. Chemical pulp has the biggest influence on GWP results, but it is also the main raw material. Comparison of manufacturing without chemical pulp production indicates that heat energy and ammonia have the biggest impacts. •The first time GWP assessment was done for microcrystalline cellulose manufacturing systems.•Traditional manufacturing processes gave the highest GWP results compared to novel ones.•Pulp, heat, ammonia and electricity of processes contribute to a very large share of the GWP results.•A solution inside the system could lower the GWP, e.g. methane production from side streams instead of burning.