Life Cycle Assessment Research Trends and Implications: A Bibliometric Analysis

Acknowledging the importance of sustainability and implementing measures to achieve the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 represent a holistic approach to promoting peace and prosperity for the planet and its inhabitants. LCA is a valuable tool for organisations to enhance sustainability and reduce environmental impact. There has been a notable increase in LCA research subjects, indicating a recognition of its significance in promoting sustainability. The field has experienced a significant expansion in the past decade, with a 30% annual percent growth rate in LCA publications since 2010. In the most recent 4 years alone, 47% of all LCA publications since 1991 were produced. This paper presents a comprehensive review of LCA research from 1991 to 2022, with a specific focus on the period from 2019 to 2022. The study identifies research avenues and trends in LCA research using diverse bibliometric analysis techniques alongside content examination and the SciVal topic clusters prominence indicator. This comprehensive approach reveals evolving trends, such as an increased emphasis on practical applications for global sustainability goals, LCA’s expansion into bio-based materials due to plastic pollution concerns, and quantification of circular economy benefits in solid waste management. Moreover, deeper exploration of energy-related sustainability aspects and the integration of LCA into early product development for eco-conscious design are observed. These trends signify widespread LCA adoption across industries to address energy and design-related sustainability challenges. The study acknowledges interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, industry, and governments, shaping a robust LCA research landscape. China’s heightened contributions as a leading contributor to the field have reshaped the global LCA landscape mirrored in the evolving prominence of journals, institutes, and funding organisations.</jats:p

SeaBioComp D.3.5.2 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for the different biocomposites production routes

The Activity Description in the bid document said: “Eco impact of biocomposites studied will be analysed through Life Cycle Analysis for which standard software (SimaPro) is available. Since only demonstrators are produced under pilot conditions, and no real industrial end products are produced a full LCA will not be possible or makes little sense. Instead we will concentrate on the main differences between the used ingredients and the newly developed production routes, extrapolating how the upscaling and will further optimize production conditions. So differences between LCA for natural fibres and glass fibres, for biopolymers and bioresins or oil-based plastics, injection moulding versus layer by layer deposition, … . Further the improved recycling potential as well as durability and ecotoxicity impacts are taken into account”. The SimaPro software, and ecoinvent life cycle inventory (LCI) database, were acquired and first used for this project. However, the LCI data has now been identified to not be as robust as should be expected from commercial product. In particular while the functional unit is clear, the goal and scope, and the system boundary are inadequate to provide confidence in any results generated. In consequence, the authors caution that any results in this report are qualitative. In particular, cross-comparisons between different material systems are unlikely to be valid. There was an intention to use a 5G telecommunications dome as a demonstrator component. The commercial component is rotomoulded polyolefin. The infused component would be flax fibre reinforcement in a variety of resins. In order to realise the bio-based product, where the matrix would be poly(lactide) processed at >120°C, a high-performance mould tool is required (which could be used for all matrix systems). In the event, the company contracted to produce the tool encountered a series of technical and supply chain issues which delayed the delivery of the tool beyond the end date of the Work Package