When it comes to sourcing environmentally friendly chemical feedstock how certain can an industrial chemical trader or manufacturer be that raw materials are truly green? ‘Not very,’ is the answer according to a recent study, as researchers are now questioning if many chemical products thought of as eco-friendly alternatives may in fact do more damage than the products they are replacing.
The discovery came to light during a study of piezoelectric materials by researchers from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (ESPRC). By performing a full life cycle analysis they found that the replacement product, recommended by numerous global authorities and environmentalists, is actually more dangerous to the environment than the original.
The ESPRC is an institution that describes itself as, “the main UK government agency for funding research and training in engineering and the physical sciences, with investment of more than £800 million a year”.
The case revolves around finding an alternative to lead zirconate titanate (PZT), a ceramic perovskite material that is widely used in numerous electrical products, from sensors, such as ultrasound tranducers, to military hardware, such as RPG launchers, to high value ceramic capacitors used in electric circuitry.
Up until now, the go-to replacement has been potassium sodium niobate (KNN), which is used as a lead-free alternative. However, the true environmental impact of mining KNN was never fully included in previous comparisons, so lawmakers and manufacturers were recommending the product as a ‘greener’ substitute without knowing the full affect of its use.
The researchers have published their findings in the journal Energy and Environmental Science, which makes clear the dangerous use of the terms ‘green’ and ‘environmentally friendly’ until a full life cycle analysis has been conducted. The study states the analysis that was undertaken as follows; “A methodologically robust life cycle supply chain assessment based on integrated hybrid life cycle framework was undertaken within the context of the two piezoelectric materials. Results show that the presence of niobium in KNN constitutes far greater impact across all the 16 categories considered in comparison with PZT. The increased environmental impact of KNN occurs in the early stages of the LCA due to raw material extraction and processing. As a result, the environmental damage has already occurred before its use in piezoelectric applications during which it doesn’t constitute any threat. As such, the use of the term ‘environmentally friendly’ for the description of KNN should be avoided. Cost-benefit analysis of substituting PZT with KNN also indicates that the initial cost of conversion to KNN is greater, especially for energy usage during production.”
Professor Lenny Koh, co-investigator on the research, said: “Our findings demonstrate the pivotal role of life cycle analysis in determining the environmental sustainability of substitutions of materials. Materials scientists, engineers and industry must consider the life cycle impact of materials in design and manufacture before deciding on the preferred substituted choice. Legislative bodies play a leading role in enforcing such responsibility in order to protect the scarcity and criticality of materials resources and prevent unsustainable practices.”
Dr Taofeeq Ibn-Mohammed, lead author on the paper and ESPRC research associate, said of the study, “Overall, the research demonstrates that application of life cycle analysis and supply chain management to a strategic engineering question allows industries and policy makers to make informed decisions regarding the environmental consequences of substitute materials, designs, fabrication processes and usage.”
Meanwhile, Professor Reaney, principal investigator on the project, concluded that, “The research has strong implications for future legislation concerning piezoelectrics within the European Union and worldwide.”
The fact that chemical products once labelled as ‘eco-friendly’ and ‘green’ are now found to have a worse impact on the environment will have ramifications for chemical traders, manufacturers and suppliers alike. As the online scientific journal Phys.org reports, “These findings will have a significant impact on global policy and the manufacturing sector.”
How eager producers of ‘eco-friendly’ chemical producers will be to have the full life cycle analysis of their products carried out, remains to be seen.