09215eb1-5fc9-11dd-ad8b-0800200c9a66Aluminium sheetprimary productionproduction mix, at plantaluminium semi-finished sheet product, including primary production, transformation and recyclingAluminium coil, aluminium stripProcessesProductionMaterial productionMetal productionThe environmental data have been collected through an extensive environmental survey, organised among the European aluminium industry, focussing on the year 2005 and covering EU-27 countries as well as EFTA countries (Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland). From this survey, European average values, i.e. foreground data, have been calculated for the direct inputs and outputs of the various aluminium processes. Using the GaBi software system, the foreground data have been combined within LCI models integrating background LCI data on energy supply systems, ancillary processes and materials. From these models, generic European LCI data sets have been developed respectively for the production of primary and recycled aluminium ingots and for the transformation of aluminium ingots into semi-finished products, i.e. sheet, foil and extruded products. For the development of the LCI data related to primary aluminium production, a specific model for the electricity production has been developed. Alloying elements have not been considered in these data sets and have been substituted by pure aluminium. The methodology and the various environmental and LCI data have been published in an environmental profile report which is available for download from the website of the European Aluminium Association (www.eaa.net). Professor Walter Kl"pffer, as an independent expert, has critically reviewed the entire LCI project including the data collection, the data consolidation, the development of the various LCI models and the calculation of the associated LCI data sets. This critical review, which is attached at the end of the report, has confirmed that the LCI data sets were developed in accordance with ISO 14040 and 14044 standards. The LCI data sets related to primary production, recycling and sheet have been combined together according to the flow diagram reported below in order to generate the generic LCI data set for semi-finished aluminium sheet products.65The data set is based on average site-specific data of the European aluminium industry. Electricity grid mix is country-specific. Other upstream data are based on global averages.Aluminium sheets are produced from aluminium ingots called slabs (usually rectangular-shape) which are hot rolled at temperature around 400-500°C and then cold rolled. Typical thickness of aluminium sheets is comprised between 0.2 and 4 mm. The slabs are produced by DC (Direct Chill) casting in cast houses. Primary and recycled aluminium as well as alloying elements (Mg, Si, etc.) are used for producing aluminium slabs. Primary aluminium production comprises the following 3 steps: bauxite mining, alumina production and aluminium production by electrolysis in smelters. The electric energy production used in European smelters has been modelled using a specific electricity model. Aluminium imports have also been considered in this electric model. The recycling rate (78% for sheet and 88% for profile) includes metal losses during collection, processing and melting. Collection rates have been defined through studies or estimates while the ESSUM model has been used to calculate the metal yield during melting (please email lci@eaa.be for details).Aluminium sheets are used in many sectors like packaging (can, containers), building (roofing, facade panels), transport (closures, BIW), engineering or for specific applications like lithographic sheets. Aluminium sheets can be formed and joined with other components in complex applications. Aluminium sheets can be anodised or/and coated. Typical thickness of aluminium sheets is between 0,2 and 4 mm. Aluminium foil (thickness < 200 æm) is not considered in this generic data set.EAA_Life_Cycle_Alu_Sheet_3bbdb281-885f-11db-b606-0800200c9a66.jpgEAA_Alu_Sheet_9053b221-6384-11dd-ad8b-0800200c9a66.jpgLCI resultAttributionalNoneAllocation - physical causalitySubstitution - recycling potentialRecycling is credited through system expansion as recommended by ISO 14044.The data set includes the burden and credit associated with the recycling of aluminium scrap produced at casting, rolling and end-of-life process steps. For end-of-life recycling, an average recycling rate of 78 % is used for aluminium sheets. For primary production, a country-based electricity grid mix model is used including aluminium imports from outside Europe. The net calorific value is used in this model.NoneAccording to ISO14040: 99% cut-off criteria (mass) applied for non-hazardous inputs and outputs except alloying elements which are not considered. No cut-off criteria for hazardous products or emissions (e.g. PAH, PFC, BaP, etc.). Infrastructure is not included. All ancillary processes (electricity, caustic soda, etc.) are included.NoneData set based on average site-specific data - on an annual basis. Horizontal aggregation is used to calculate European average per process. A modular modelling of processes is used for easy vertical combination. LCI modelling is fully consistent.NoneLCI data are based on European averages calculated from site-specific data. Unallocated data have been distributed on processes by linear extrapolation. Aluminium imports to Europe have been considered for the calculation of the LCI data for primary production. Worlwide average data have been considered for bauxite mining.NoneGaBi databases 2006European Reference Life Cycle Data System" (ELCD), v 1.0.1, 2007Life Cycle Inventory Data Primary Aluminium, 200599.0This data set can be used for LCA studies related to products made in Europe and which include aluminium sheet material. The data set includes the burden and credit associated with the recycling of aluminium scrap over the whole life cycle using the substitution methodology for taking into account the recycling phase. The substitution methodology considers that recycled aluminium substitutes primary aluminium so that only metal losses during the various phases need to be balanced by primary aluminium. The used average recycling rate is 79% for aluminium sheets. For more details and further LCI data sets related to aluminium rolled products, please contact LCI@eaa.be.All relevant flows quantifiedThe critical review process made by Walter Klöpffer has confirmed that the full LCI project is conform to ISO 14040 & 14044. The methods used in data collection and modelling are described clearly and correspond to the state of the art. They should be published and become standard for generic data collection. The background data used in addition to the foreground data stem from one of the leading software systems. The interpretation is in accordance with the restricted scope and refers to the representativity and quality of the original data. Although not statistically analysed, the user can be sure to have the best possible data set for Al in Europe. In the future there may be a greater demand for statistically analysed data in order to perform error calculations and uncertainty analysis, this may lead to higher expectations with regard to the primary data deliverers. Finally, the report is transparent and consistent. It is clearly written and well printed. This LCI project is an excellent example for generic data acquisition, consolidation and presentation. It contributes to the Life Cycle Assessment development by providing reliable data for one important material and continues a tradition of more than a decade in an exemplary way.
LCI data have been generated through LCI models developed with the GaBi software system in full reference to ISO standards 14040 and 14044 on Life Cycle Assessment. The corresponding EAA environmental profile report published in 2008 (covering year 2005) has been certified by Professor Walter Klöpffer.EAAThe EAA environmental profile report published in 2000 (covering year 1998) has been certified by Ian Boustead. The EAA followed exactly the same LCI methodology for organising the survey and consolidating the data related to the year 2002.ILCD Data Network - Entry-levelNot definedNot definedNot definedNot definedNot definedNot definedEAAEC, DG ENVEPLCA project teamThe Environmental profile report for the European Aluminium Industry (April 2008) can be downloaded from the EAA website.The European aluminium Association (EAA) has collected LCI data representative for aluminium in Europe. Whenever organisations are doing LCA for aluminium products in which it is appropriate to use European data, EAA is happy to contribute in supplying information and data, making its best to provide information in line with the study goal and scope. EAA can deliver data sets related to the following processes: - Alumina production - Aluminium electrolysis and ingot casting - Aluminium rolling - Aluminium extrusion - Aluminium process scrap remelting - Recycling of aluminium end-of-life products.EAA2016-01-01T00:00:00+01:00ILCD format 1.1EAA Method ReportLBP-GaBiEAA2016-01-01T00:00:00+01:0010.00.000Data set finalised; entirely publishedELCD database 2.0EAAtrueOtherThe data set can be used free of charge by anybody to perform LCA studies, to distribute it to third parties, to convert it to other formats, to develop own data sets etc. as long as the copyright and license conditions for the ELCD data sets and the ILCD format are met that can be accessed via http://lca.jrc.ec.europa.eu. Please note e.g. that reference must be given to the 'Owner of data set' and to the 'ELCD database' plus version number, when using the data set or parts thereof. Please note also, that any modifications/omissions of the data set results in invalidity of any existing 'Official approval of data set by producer/operator', that the impression must be avoided that this would still be a complete ELCD data set, and that the content of further fields has to be adjusted. For details see the aforementioned copyright and license conditions.Aluminium sheetOutput100010000.000Mixed primary / secondaryUnknown derivation