Life Cycle Assessment of OSB Panels Produced with Alternative Raw Materials

Abstract

To produce sustainable materials, it is essential to start by quantifying their environmental impacts. In this context, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology is an efficient tool to assess the environmental performance and impacts of products and/or services. Due to the global increasing market for OSB (Oriented strand board) panels and the concern to produce composites materials in an environmentally sustainable way, and based on the knowledge gaps and existing demands, the overall objective of this research was to quantify the environmental impacts of OSB panels produced with Eucalyptus ssp. (reforested wood) and castor oil-based bicomponent polyurethane adhesive (adhesive derived from vegetal oil). The environmental impacts were calculated using the methodology given by EN 15804+A2 standard. This work identified the system boundaries, environmental impacts, and environmental hotspots in OSB production. The results of this new type of panel were compared with the environmental impacts of traditional panels given by state-of-process available in international databases. This study also includes recommendations for the industry on how to reduce the environmental impacts of this new type of panel.