April 28, 2008 | Recommend this Article »

Life Cycle Analysis

LCA methodology for the dimension stone sector

This evaluation, which has already been carried out in some European countries, demystifies the environmental impact of the productive arrangement of dimension stones.

In 2008, business people from the stone sector have the opportunity to gain another tool to optimize the whole productive chain: Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) for dimension stones.

LCA is the only instrument of environmental management which enables quantification of all environmental impacts associated directly or indirectly to a product, allowing comparison with the performance of other products. The analysis makes it possible to organize and disseminate a database of products and services in the country, including dimension stone activity.

In this context, LCA will compare use of materials in civil construction, showing the impacts of use of marble compared to ceramics, concrete, glass, steel and even reforestation wood. In various countries, some companies have already made available data obtained through LCA. In Italy the result shows that the impact of marble on the environment is half that of ceramics, frequently used in civil construction.

In Brazil, the Marble and Granite Technological Centre (Cetemag), located in Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, Monte Lí­bano Environmental Association (AAMOL) and the Centre for Mineral Technology (Cetem), has taken the initiative of implementing an LCA methodology for the dimension stone sector. According to the body´s president, Emic Malacarne Costa, Cetemag as a national technological centre has a vested interest in representing the evaluation project.

"LCA is innovation, development and research for the stone sector, everything we are about. We are sure that this study will bring great advances for all: businesses, society and the environment"�, says Emic, adding: "for the environment LCA helps in minimizing impacts. For businesses it is a tool, which if used well, can generate savings and profits"�.

The consultant responsible for the analysis of stone use in Brazil, designer Ludson Zampirolli, explains that the evaluation is one of the most efficient analysis and diagnosis tools for materials selection because it analyses and quantitatively presents environmental impacts of products "from cradle to grave�". "It assesses the whole chain, from extraction to disposal, through beneficiation, use and maintenance conditioners and transport, among others"�, adds Ludson.

The consultant explains that results obtained in Europe will not be the same as those for Brazil´s research as there are differences such as geographical characteristics, geological and environmental conditions, transport, and other aspects which influence the result, but believes that many of the myths surrounding the socio-environmental impacts of stone sector activities will be undone by LCA.

"The fact is that the analysis will help people in business to see a responsible way forward, interacting with all players involved in the segment, alert to the fact that new environmental parameters will only favour technological and economical sector development"�, confirms Ludson.