Life Cycle Assessment of Metallised Textiles. The Case Study of Maturolife Project

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method which supports manufacturers’ environmental information needs by evaluation of the environmental aspects and potential influences throughout the lifetime of the product. In the article results are presented of the first phase of the life cycle assessment of metallised textiles and the context for the analysis is a new project: „Metallisation of Textiles to make Urban living for Older people more Independent & Fashionable – MATUROLIFE”, implemented under the HORIZON 2020 Programme – “Advanced materials & innovative design for improved functionality & aesthetics in high added value consumer goods”.The article presents the most important assumptions for assessing the environmental effects associated with the metallization of various textiles, including primarily electroless copper coating, by calculating the demand for materials and energy, and taking into account emissions to air, water and soil, and by assessing their impact on the environment. The use of LCA as a management tool with great potential for making decisions within strategic business planning was analyzed.

A Review of Electro Conductive Textiles Utilizing the Dip-Coating Technique: Their Functionality, Durability and Sustainability

“…Similarly, Schischke et al [ 134 ] provided guidance on how to minimize the environmental footprint of flexible and stretchable smart textiles by analyzing numerous emerging and converging technologies in terms of sustainability implications, depending on material choices and design decisions, although they concluded that more sustainable possibilities are still greatly required, e.g., recycled resources, low-impact processes, and extended products’ lifetimes. Some other studies have focused on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of conductive textiles: Radulescu et al [ 137 ] reviewed an LCA analysis of conductive fiber-based flexible electromagnetic shields, and Wójcik-Augustyniak et al [ 138 ] focused on an LCA case study of metallized textiles in the frame of the Maturolife project. Saleem and Zaidi [ 139 ] discussed environmental, health, and safety aspects (toxicity) of nano-sized compounds and their sustainable use in different textile applications, due to the wide range of nanomaterials and their properties (shape, size, crystallinity, porosity, agglomeration, and aggregation).…”

Advantages and Constraints of Eco-Efficiency Measures: The Case of the Polish Food Industry

“…Wójcik-Augustyniak, Szajczyk, Ojstršek, and Leber [36] (pp. 5-6) claim that in the era of the circular economy, the new version of the LCA motto should be "from cradle to cradle" instead of "from cradle to grave".…”