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LCA-based approach to environmental performance of Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Fluids.

Rodriguez Brash, Ezequiel Alfredo LU (2008) IMEN41 20081
The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics
Abstract
Abstract
Screening LCA has been used to gain further insight into the environmental performance of
Gambrosol Trio, a fluid used in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) as a
form of renal therapy. Gambrosol Trio (Trio) is produced and commercialised by Gambro
AB, an international company with headquarters in Stockholm and historic roots in Lund,
Sweden. The product's distinctive characteristic is its three-in-one compartment bag that
allows a patient to use one of three standard glucose concentrations that form the basis of
CAPD. This design has logistics and operational advantages compared to similar products
packaged in single or dual compartment bags. This thesis was conducted as a first approach
to explore whether... (More)
Abstract
Screening LCA has been used to gain further insight into the environmental performance of
Gambrosol Trio, a fluid used in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) as a
form of renal therapy. Gambrosol Trio (Trio) is produced and commercialised by Gambro
AB, an international company with headquarters in Stockholm and historic roots in Lund,
Sweden. The product's distinctive characteristic is its three-in-one compartment bag that
allows a patient to use one of three standard glucose concentrations that form the basis of
CAPD. This design has logistics and operational advantages compared to similar products
packaged in single or dual compartment bags. This thesis was conducted as a first approach
to explore whether or not these advantages extend to the product's environmental
performance from a cradle-to-grave perspective. The environmental burden of the product is
explored from the production and processing of Trio's components, to the manufacturing of
the product itself to disposal of generated waste from its use, including transportation in
between these stages of the product cycle. The assessment was made based on the
construction of the product map, the material requirements for its production and transport
and assigning an “Ecoscore” based on the Ecoindicator 99 method as presented in the
Ecoindicator Manual for Designers. Results indicate the majority of the product's
environmental burden is located at the production stage of its components with PVC based
plastics taking the larger share. A quick exploration of Polypropylene and Polyethylene as
substitutes did not indicate potential for improved environmental performance. Caution must
be exercised as the effects of Phthalate leaking in land-fills or incomplete combustion in incinerators was not available as Ecoscores. Although this approach is based on Life Cycle Assessment, it does not have the validity that a full application of the method would provide;
as such, results can only be used within the organisation as a tool to decide whether or not to
continue efforts along this track and cannot be used to communicate claims to stakeholders
or as the basis for definitive, company-wide decisions such as material substitution in their
products. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Rodriguez Brash, Ezequiel Alfredo LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
Screening Life Cycle Assessment as a complementary tool for decision making in Gambro AB.
course
IMEN41 20081
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
LCA, Environmental performance
language
English
id
1480329
date added to LUP
2009-09-25 09:38:53
date last changed
2009-09-25 09:38:53
@misc{1480329,
  abstract     = {{Abstract
Screening LCA has been used to gain further insight into the environmental performance of
Gambrosol Trio, a fluid used in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) as a
form of renal therapy. Gambrosol Trio (Trio) is produced and commercialised by Gambro
AB, an international company with headquarters in Stockholm and historic roots in Lund,
Sweden. The product's distinctive characteristic is its three-in-one compartment bag that
allows a patient to use one of three standard glucose concentrations that form the basis of
CAPD. This design has logistics and operational advantages compared to similar products
packaged in single or dual compartment bags. This thesis was conducted as a first approach
to explore whether or not these advantages extend to the product's environmental
performance from a cradle-to-grave perspective. The environmental burden of the product is
explored from the production and processing of Trio's components, to the manufacturing of
the product itself to disposal of generated waste from its use, including transportation in
between these stages of the product cycle. The assessment was made based on the
construction of the product map, the material requirements for its production and transport
and assigning an “Ecoscore” based on the Ecoindicator 99 method as presented in the
Ecoindicator Manual for Designers. Results indicate the majority of the product's
environmental burden is located at the production stage of its components with PVC based
plastics taking the larger share. A quick exploration of Polypropylene and Polyethylene as
substitutes did not indicate potential for improved environmental performance. Caution must
be exercised as the effects of Phthalate leaking in land-fills or incomplete combustion in incinerators was not available as Ecoscores. Although this approach is based on Life Cycle Assessment, it does not have the validity that a full application of the method would provide;
as such, results can only be used within the organisation as a tool to decide whether or not to
continue efforts along this track and cannot be used to communicate claims to stakeholders
or as the basis for definitive, company-wide decisions such as material substitution in their
products.}},
  author       = {{Rodriguez Brash, Ezequiel Alfredo}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{LCA-based approach to environmental performance of Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Fluids.}},
  year         = {{2008}},
}