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Scan to learn more about the project

Formation of a Life Cycle Inventory (LCI)

Database for Crude Palm Oil Production

and Palm Oil Based Biodiesel Refining in

Malaysia

Background & objectives

It is the biggest and fastest growing vegetable oil in the world, and yet the environmental

impacts of palm oil production have mainly been quantified through desk studies and

generic data. In the palm oil industry, the general understanding and application of life

cycle assessment (LCA) are still in their infancy and applied academic studies are needed

to guide the way. The project focuses on establishing a life cycle inventory of palm oil

biodiesel with special focus on the largest knowledge gaps, namely residue use and land

use change along with potential environmental footprint improvement options such as

biochar and management strategies.

Main activities

• Data collection from the palm oil industry including oil palm plantations and palm oil mills

in Malaysia

• Lab-scale experimental determination of biogas potentials from solid residues

• Soil sampling and experimental determination of soil carbon degradation from land use

change

• GaBi inventory modelling.

Expected outcome

Presentation of the current life cycle emissions from the production of palm oil and palm oil

biodiesel with conceptual suggestions to improvement of the production system increases

sustainability and the potential environmental benefits of these improvements.

New value in relation to existing knowledge

As opposed to previous general and overall LCAs on palm oil, the application of life cycle

inventory (LCI) as an environmental development tool on targeted steps in the production

process is highlighting the way forward for the palm oil industry to achieve improved

sustainability.

Sune Balle Hansen, Quantitative Sustainability Assessment

Contact:

Sune Balle Hansen, PhD student

Produktionstorvet, building 426

DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby

sbal@dtu.dk

www.man.dtu.dk

Supervisor/co-supervisor:

Stig Irving Olsen, DTU Management

Engineering

Arne Wangel, DTU Management

Engineering

Funded by:

Shell Global Solutions

DTU Management Engineering

Start and completion date:

1 September 2009 to 15 September 2012

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