Environmental impact analysis of the injection molding process: analysis of the processing of high-density polyethylene parts. (1st December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Elduque, Ana; Elduque, Daniel; Javierre, Carlos; Fernández, Ángel; Santolaria, Jorge
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 108:Part A(2015)
• Page Start: 80
• Page End: 89
• Publication Date: 2015-12-01
• Subjects: Injection molding -- Environmental impact -- HDPE -- Electricity consumption -- LCA; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.07.119
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: This paper studies the environmental impact of the injection molding process by carrying out a life cycle assessment. A review of how EcoInvent's Life Cycle Inventory database characterizes this process has been conducted, and a new methodology based on that analysis has been carried out. Aspects such as the infrastructure of the factory or waste treatment are part of the environmental impact of the injection molding process, but the most significant factor is electricity consumption; therefore, electricity consumption measurements of the process have been performed. This environmental analysis has been applied to the processing of several parts made of high-density polyethylene, which have been characterized by measuring the electricity consumption. As a consequence of this work, it has been proven that electricity consumption can be used as an injection molding machine selection criteria, from an environmental standpoint, as it produces the highest environmental burden of the process. Highlights: A LCA of the injection molding process applied to HDPE parts has been carried out. Electricity consumption is the most relevant factor in terms of environmental impact. Electricity consumption measurements show great variations depending on machines used. Electricity consumption should be used as selection criterion of injection molding machines.