NanoSustain

Development of sustainable solutions for nanotechnology-based products based on hazard characterization and LCA

Official project website: www.nanosustain.eu

Project duration: 1 May 2010 – 31 May 2013
Project funding: 2.5 Mio. EUR from the EC Seventh Framework Programme under Grant Agreement No. 247989

Project description

After three exciting and stimulating years of research, meetings and discussions, the NanoSustain project implemented by 12 partners from seven different European countries ended on 31 May 2013. A huge amount of data has been produced and already published that will help to improve our current understanding of the intricate behavior of engineered nanomaterials when released and exposed to man and the environment. The ultimate goal of NanoSustain was to develop new technical solutions for the safe and sustainable handling of engineered nanomaterials, in particular during end-of-life phases, such as reuse/recycling, final treatment and/or disposal. To reach this goal a comprehensive physicochemical (pc) and hazard characterization (toxicology, dose-response, no-effect levels) analyses have been realized, including exposure (human, environment), risk (RA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) of selected engineered nanomaterials (nanocellulose, nano-TiO2, CNTs, nano-ZnO) and associated products, in particular related to their transport, transformation and environmental fate.

The main task of UniHB (work package leader of WP4 Life cycle assessment and prospective technological assessment) in the NanoSustain project has been the LCA of selected nanoproducts during all life cycle stages. The following specific organic and inorganic nanomaterials and associated applications were selected as case studies for the LCA:

  • Nanocellulose-based materials & products (paper additive, industrial thickener, rheology modifier)
  • nano TiO2 based products (paint application)
  • nano ZnO based composites (glass coatings)
  • MWCNT based products (epoxy plates as rotor blades).
To assess the environmental impacts of the selected nanomaterials (by LCA), specific models for the life cycle of the products including their application (preproduction, production, application manufacture), use phase, and for the end-of-life and recycling phases (re-use, recycling and/or final treatment and disposal) were developed and implemented in the LCA software tool Umberto. The Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) included the data collection and calculation procedures to quantify all relevant inputs (material and energy inputs) and outputs (e.g., emissions to air) of the product system. The purpose of the Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) was to aggregate the results from the inventory analysis and evaluate the significance of the productâ??s potential environmental impacts. This step involves connecting inventory data with specific environmental impact categories and respective category indicators. Finally, the findings from the LCI and the LCIA were consistently combined with the defined goal and scope.

During the last months of the project, the WP4 case studies were completed in terms of the life cycle assessment and exposure modeling of engineered nanoparticles by using the life cycle perspective.

The first objective of this WP was the "Cradle-to-gate" Life Cycle Assessment of the mentioned nanomaterials with a functional unit of 1kg nanomaterial (see Table 1).

Table 1: LCA data of the production of Nanomaterials.
Environmental impact Unit NanoTiO2 MWCNT NanoZnO Nanocellulose
Cumulative energy demand MJ-Eq/kg 81.954 164.716 474.27 131.30
Global warming potential 100a kg CO2-Eq/kg 4.276 4.405 21.002 1.608
Acidification potential, average European kg SO2-Eq/kg 0.015 0.016 0.119 0.015
Eutrophication potential, average European kg NOx-Eq/kg 0.007 0.012 0.061 0.009
Human Tox potential, 100a not nanospecific kg 1,4-DCB/kg 0.854 0.842 8.647 0.845
Marine aquatic ecotoxicity, 100a not nanospecific kg 1,4-DCB/kg 2.980 2.845 45.674 1.678
Depletion of abiotic resources kg Antimon-Eq/kg 0.035 0.070 0.172 0.010
Summer smog kg ethylen/kg 2.726E-04 3.937E-04 2.48E-03 1.62E-04
Stratospheric ozone depletion 10a kg CFC-11-/kg 1.140E-06 1.027E-07 1.72E-06 1.29E-07

The second focus was on "Cradle-to-grave" (prospective) LCA of different nanotechnological based applications with different functional units compared to conventional materials/applications. For the modeling of nanospecific emissions we integrated release factors based on different sources and specific analogy estimation (REACH/ECHA-Documents, OECD ESDs, spERCs, industrial (personal) information, and a few available peer reviewed articles in the life cycle model.

At the same time, the enhanced LCA model has provided data for potential nanomaterial release in an environmental setting that is urgently needed for the exposure assessment of final products in their complete life cycle (i.e. synthesis, use, and recycling & disposal).

In cooperation with our internal project partners and the Swiss subcontract partner, we have developed different exposure models and calculated probabilistic material flows of our selected nano-applications. Based on this, we also generated probability distributions for the predicted environmental concentrations (PEC) of our selected nanomaterials that are needed for a environmental risk assessment.

For the precautionary design and for improved recyclability of engineered nanomaterials, a comprehensive approach was derived and developed as a third objective. This concept for the early stage of the development of new nanomaterials and nano-applications includes precautionary risk aspects, resource aspects, and environmental impacts (see Table 2) showing different data sources and their data quality for each aspect, which is relevant for an precautionary design.

Table 2: Precautionary risk aspects, resource aspects, and environmental impacts for different data sources and their data quality.
Categories and aspects Data quality Source
Precautionary risk aspects
Potential exposure of humans Semi-quantitative Swiss precautionary matrix for synthetic nanomaterials
Potential input into the environment Semi-quantitative Swiss precautionary matrix for synthetic nanomaterials
Potential of incident Semi-quantitative German Ã?I Sustainability check, orientation on Swiss precautionary matrix
Resource aspects
Criticality Qualitative, Semi-quantitative EU concept of criticality
Abiotic resource requirement Quantitative Based on Life Cycle Assessment
Other LCA impact categories
Energy requirement Quantitative Based on Life Cycle Assessment
Global warming potential Quantitative Based on Life Cycle Assessment
Toxicological potential, but not nanospecific Quantitative Based on Life Cycle Assessment
Ecotoxicological potential, but not nanospecific Quantitative Based on Life Cycle Assessment

In addition, in the case studies we investigated the influence of the nanomaterials on the environmental impact of new (prospective) applications. As a result, it was possible to derive the following characteristics of future applications to realize high environmental (sustainable) benefits:

  • Small content rate of nanomaterials in the product with better functionality,
  • Environmental benefit in the use phase (higher resource and/or energy efficiency),
  • Long-life (persistent) products, and
  • Nanomaterials integrated in the product matrix.

Information provided by Michael Steinfeldt at UniHB.

Publications relating to the project

Steinfeldt, M.: Life cycle assessment of nanotechnology-based applications. In: Rickerby, D. (ed.) (forthcoming): Sustainable Nanotechnology Manufacturing, Taylor & Francis, Forthcoming (06-2014)

Steinfeldt, M. (2014): Precautionary Design of Nanomaterials and Nanoproducts. In: Michalek, T. et al. (Ed.): Technology Assessment and Policy Areas of Great Transitions. Informatorium, Prague, p.321-328; 412/413

Steinfeldt, M.: Environmental impact and energy demand of nanotechnology. In: Lambauer,J.; Fahl,U.; VoÃ?, A.(Ed.) (2012): Nanotechnology and Energy - Science, promises and its limits, Pan Stanford Publishing, Singapore 2012 p.247-264

Steinfeldt, M.: Umweltentlastungen durch Nanotechnologien. In: Decker, M.; Grunwald, A.; Knapp, M. (Hg.) (2012): Der Systemblick auf Innovation. Technikfolgenabschätzung in der Technikgestaltung, edition sigma, Berlin 2012 S.271-280

Gleich, A. von; Steinfeldt, M.: зeлeнÑ?e наноÑ?еÑ?нологий. Oздopoвлeниe oкpyжaÑ?Ñ?eй cpeдÑ?. labor & more (Russia), (2012) 1.12, Succidia, Darmstadt 2012 S.26-29

Steinfeldt, M.: A method of prospective technological assessment of nanotechnological techniques. In: Finkbeiner, M. (ed.) (2011): Towards Life Cycle Sustainability Management, Springer, Dordrecht Heidelberg London New York 2011 p.131-140

Gleich, A. von; Steinfeldt, M:. green nano. Umweltschutz durch Nanotechnologien - Faktor 10 oder eher inkrementelle Effizienzsteigerungen? labor&more (2011) 2.11, Succidia, Darmstadt 2011 S.64-67

Steinfeldt, M.: (Prospective) Life Cycle and environmental Exposure Assessment of nanotechnology-based applications: NanoSustain case studies. Book of abstracts of the 10th International Particle Toxicology Conference in Düsseldorf, Germany, June 4-7, 2013

Steinfeldt, M.: Precautionary design of new nanomaterials. Book of abstracts of the European TA Conference â??Technology Assessment and Policy Areas of Great Transitionsâ?? in Prague, Czech Republic, 15th March, 2013

Steinfeldt, M.: (Prospective) Life Cycle Assessment of nanotechnology-based applications. Abstract book of the 2nd QNano International Conference in Prague, Czech Republic, 27th February â?? 1st March 2013

Steinfeldt, M.: Umweltentlastungspotentiale durch Nanoprodukte und -materialien. Book of abstracts der Fachtagung Synthetische Nanopartikel in der Umwelt in München, Germany, 27th November 2012

Steinfeldt, M.: LCA case studies of nanotechnology-based applications in the project NanoSustain. Book of abstracts of the International Conference on Safe production and use of nanomaterials, Nanosafe 2012 in Grenoble, France, 13-15th November 2012

Steinfeldt, M.: Criteria and guiding principles for the precautionary design and for improved recyclability of engineered nanomaterials. Book of abstracts ot the International Conference on Safe production and use of nanomaterials, Nanosafe 2012 in Grenoble, France, 13-15th November 2012

Steinfeldt, M.: Life Cycle Assessment of nanotechnology-based products. Book of abstracts of the Nanotechitaly Conference 2011, Promoting Responsible Innovation (Second NanoSustain dissemination event) in Venice, Italy, 25th November 2011

Steinfeldt, M.: A method of prospective technological assessment of nanotechnological techniques. Proceeding of the Life Cycle Management Conference 2011, Berlin, 28-31 August 2011

Steinfeldt, M.: Environmental relief effects of nanotechnology-based applications, by the example of CNT composite materials and films and nanoscaled polyaniline. Proceeding of the Symposium Safety issues of nanomaterials along their life cycle in Barcelona, Spain, 4-5th May 2011

Steinfeldt, M.; Gleich, A. von; Henkle, J.L.L.; Endo, M.; Morimoto, S.; Momosaki, E.: Environmental relief effects of nanotechnologies – factor 10 or only incremental increase of efficiency. Proceeding of the EcoBalance 2010, The 9th International Conference on EcoBalance Towards & Beyond 2020, Tokio, Japan, 9-12 November 2010

Presentations

Steinfeldt, M.: (Prospective) LCA of nanotechnology-based applications: NanoSustain case studies. nanoLCA 2013, Joint Workshop â??Health and Environmental Impact of nano-enabled products along the life cycleâ?? 07th May 2013, Barcelona, Spain

Steinfeldt, M.: Life Cycle Assessment software demonstration. nanoLCA 2013, Training Workshop â??Health and Environmental Impact of nano-enabled products along the life cycleâ??, 06th May 2013, Barcelona, Spain

Steinfeldt, M.: Methodology and tools for Life Cycle Assessment and Risk Assessment of nano-enabled products. nanoLCA 2013, Training Workshop â??Health and Environmental Impact of nano-enabled products along the life cycleâ??, 06th May 2013, Barcelona, Spain

Steinfeldt, M.: Life Cycle Assessment of nanotechnology-based applications in the project NanoSustain. Joint NanoValid - NanoSustain Workshop, 9th May 2012, Copenhagen, Denmark

Steinfeldt, M.: LCA case studies of nanotechnology-based applications in the project NanoSustain. Symposium: Safety issues and regulatory challenges of nanomaterials, 4th May 2012, San Sebastian, Spain

Steinfeldt, M.: Environmental relief effects of nanotechnology-based applications, by the example of CNT materials. OECD WPMN SG9 Workshop on Environmentally Sustainability Use of Manufactured Nanomaterials, 14th September 2011, Rome, Italy

Steinfeldt, M.: LCA of manufactured nanomaterials and nanotechnology based applications. Workshop on LCA of manufactured nanomaterials and Nanotechnology based applications, 26-27th September 2011, Bremen, Germany

Steinfeldt, M.: NanoSustain - Development of sustainable solutions for nanotechnology-based products based on hazard characterization and LCA. Specialist Brainstorming and Coordination Meeting ,Life cycle Assessment (LCA) & Risk Analysis in Nanomaterials-related NMP projects', 02th March 2011, Brussels, Belgium

Steinfeldt, M.: Umweltentlastungen durch Nanotechnologie – Faktor 10 oder eher inkrementelle Effizienzsteigerungen mit hohen Risiken? NTA4 – Vierte Konferenz des Netzwerkes TA "Der Systemblick auf Innovation – Technikfolgenabschätzung in der Technikgestaltung", 25th November 2010, Berlin, Germany