Category Archives: Projects

ANR Project Sustain’Apple (2014-2018)

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In France, apples are the most consumed and exported fruits. The sustainability of the whole supply chain is increasingly called into question from a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) point of view. Sustain’Apple aims to shed light on the organizational and institutional solutions that may be implemented at all stages of the supply chains (short and long chains). The project, which can be classified in the 2nd axis as defined by the ANR, will run for a 4-year period with the requested grant totaling €876,305. The consortium brings together all the competencies necessary to address these sustainable apple chain issues with on the research side, INRA, CIRAD, IRSTEA, Montpellier SupAgro, ESA Angers and UAPV are concerned through the involvement of UMR MOISA, UMR Innovation, UMR ITAP, PSH and UERI Gotheron.

The project includes a LCA work package that aims to compare the environmental performances of different chains, from orchards to final consumers.

Irstea Contact: Eléonore Loiseau

Link: http://www.agence-nationale-recherche.fr/en/anr-funded-project/?tx_lwmsuivibilan_pi2%5BCODE%5D=ANR-13-ALID-0004

 

Novinpak system Life Cycle Assessment

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COMPARATIVE LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF THE NOVINPAK® PET/RPET BOTTLE AND TRADITIONAL GLASS BOTTLE INCLUDING VINE GROWING AND WINEMAKING.

This ISO 14044:2006 and ISO 14040:2006 compliant study* was performed within the Novinpak project. This project aims at developping a PET (polyethylene terephtalate) / recycled PET bottle for high quality wine.

To learn more about this project, download the full LCA report and even use the simplified LCA calculator, check out the Novinpak website!

Report download:

*: The Critical Review was performed by a panel of three experts and coordinated by RDC Environment. The critical review report is available in Appendix 9 of the LCA report.

Comparative LCA – Wastewater treatment

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Partenariat 2011 Irstea/Onema – Theme : Ecotechnologies and pollutions.
Action 24 « Analyse environnementale de cycle de vie du système assainissement »

This work builds upon the previous LCA studies delivered in 2010 and scopes a comparative LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) study of two wastewater treatment technologies designed for domestic sewage. This comparative LCA study is carried out between (i) a vertical flow constructed wetland and (ii) an activated sludge.

Available for download: 2011_Action 24 Irstea_Onema_ACV_Comparative_BA FPRv

LCA models: Wastewater treatment plant

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Partnership 2010 Irstea/Onema – Theme : Ecotechnologies and pollutions.
Action 28-1 « Analyse environnementale de cycle de vie du système assainissement »

Abstract

The following documents scope the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) of two wastewater treatment plants using (i) a constructed wetland technology or (ii) a conventional activated sludge, both designed for treating domestic sewage. Inventory data relative to construction and operation of these wastewater treatment plants are described in these documents. This action required a close collaboration between Irstea specialists in environmental assessment  (Irstea UMR ITAP, Montpellier) and experts in sanitation (Irstea UR MALY, Lyon et HBAN, Antony).

Available for download:

2011_Action 28.1 Irstea_Onema_ACV_FPRv

2011_Action 28.1 Irstea_Onema_ACV_BA

Flonudep

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Flonudep (2010-2013, funded by the French National Research Agency) Promoting supply chain joining the sustainable development through a decision making tool combining three key elements of the fruit and vegetables market: environmental durability, nutritional quality, socio-economic aspects.
Contact:  Claudine Basset-Mens

Agri-Balyse

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Agri-BALYSE (2010-2013, French Environment and Energy Management Agency) Research project on the environmental assessment with LCA of a panel of food products imported from tropical regions and consumed in France – Project coordinated within the Agri-BALYSE project.
Contact: Claudine Basset-Mens, Thierry Tran, Cécile Bessou, Sylvain Perret

Salinalgue

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A biorefinery project based on microalgae

In a global context of resources scarcity and environment preservation, finding new options to fossil fuels is a big challenge. The Salinalgue project aims at cultivating a native microalgae (Dunaliella salina) at industrial scale in open ponds which are old salty lands.  Based on the biorefinery concept, biodiesel and others byproducts (as bioproducts…) will be produced  from microalgae.

The Salinalgue project has different goals:

  •  Open-ponds culture in extreme conditions
  • Use of CO2 gas from industrial exhaust pipes as input for the culture of microalgae
  • Use of wet extraction process: avoiding the energy-costing process of drying the biomass
  • Producing all by-products from the algae biomass.

Salinalgue project is lead by La Compagnie du Vent which works with industrial and institutionnal partners.

 The environmental approach is important and based on an environmental assessment all along the 4-year-project. One of the main goal is to design a sustainable way to produce biodiesel and other byproducts from microalgae.

The Life Cycle Assessment method assesses the environmental impacts of a product or a service. LCA allows to identify the hotspots where the process chain can be optimised, to compare different options and to keep a holistic point of view.

Salinalgue(2011-2014, funded by the French single interministerial fund) Bioenergy and other byproducts from microalgae culture in old salty lands.
Contact: Mélissa Cornelus, Arnaud Hélias

BioFimE

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BioFimE: Control of biofilms in paper mill process by combined actions of low environmental impact

Production of pulp, paper and cardboard is one of the most water-consuming industrial process. Since twenty years, the law encourages industrial sites to reduce their water consumption and their discharge to the nature.

The paper industry tries to reduce the water consumption in its processes: between 1970 and 2004, the amount of fresh water consumed per ton of paper has been reduced of 90% (source CEPI[1]). Nevertheless, the closed loop and the water recycling in paper industry lead to the creation of biological sedimentation named biofilm (or slime) in water pipes and paper machine .

Those biofilms lead to major issues as stop of paper production … The chemical agents used as treatment present some health and environmental dangers.  Some laws may forbid the use of some agents of this type. Therefore, paper mills and producers of those chemical agents are in search of alternatives.

The BioFimE project aims at reducing chemical agents consumption in paper industry by trying to fight against biofilms with mechanical, chemical and biological actions. Those complementary actions should be respectful towards the environment and adapted to the production context.

The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) aims at assessing the different options to fight against biofilms and identify the hotspots.

[1] Confederation of European Paper Industries

BioFimE (2009-2011, funded by the French National Research Agency) Control of biofilms in paper mill process by combined actions of low environmental impact.
Contact: Mélissa Cornélus, Arnaud Hélias