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Life Cycle Assessment in a Nutshell: Best Practices and Status Quo for the Plastic Sector

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer review

Authors

  • Marina Mudersbach
  • Meret Jürgens
  • Merlin Pohler
  • Sebastian Spierling
  • Venkateshwaran Venkatachalam
  • Hans Josef Endres

External Research Organisations

  • Queensland University of Technology
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    • Citation Indexes: 3
  • Captures
    • Readers: 31
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Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number2300466
JournalMacromolecular Rapid Communications
Volume46
Issue number8
Publication statusPublished - 17 Apr 2025

Abstract

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is an internationally standardized methodology to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of products and technologies and assists in lowering their negative environmental consequences. So far, extensive knowledge of LCA—their application and interpretation—is restricted to experts. However, the importance of LCA is increasing due to its application in business, environmental, and policy decision-making processes. Therefore, general knowledge of LCA is critically important. The current work provides an introduction to LCA for non-experts discussing important steps and aspects and therefore can be used as a starting point for LCA. In addition, a comprehensive checklist for non-experts with important content and formal aspects of LCA is provided. Specific aspects of LCA for the plastics sector along the value chain are also discussed, including their limitations.

Keywords

    best practice, environment, life cycle assessment, plastics, polymers, sustainability

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Sustainable Development Goals

Cite this

Life Cycle Assessment in a Nutshell: Best Practices and Status Quo for the Plastic Sector. / Mudersbach, Marina; Jürgens, Meret; Pohler, Merlin et al.
In: Macromolecular Rapid Communications, Vol. 46, No. 8, 2300466, 17.04.2025.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer review

Mudersbach, M, Jürgens, M, Pohler, M, Spierling, S, Venkatachalam, V, Endres, HJ & Barner, L 2025, 'Life Cycle Assessment in a Nutshell: Best Practices and Status Quo for the Plastic Sector', Macromolecular Rapid Communications, vol. 46, no. 8, 2300466. https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202300466
Mudersbach, M., Jürgens, M., Pohler, M., Spierling, S., Venkatachalam, V., Endres, H. J., & Barner, L. (2025). Life Cycle Assessment in a Nutshell: Best Practices and Status Quo for the Plastic Sector. Macromolecular Rapid Communications, 46(8), Article 2300466. https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202300466
Mudersbach M, Jürgens M, Pohler M, Spierling S, Venkatachalam V, Endres HJ et al. Life Cycle Assessment in a Nutshell: Best Practices and Status Quo for the Plastic Sector. Macromolecular Rapid Communications. 2025 Apr 17;46(8):2300466. doi: 10.1002/marc.202300466
Mudersbach, Marina ; Jürgens, Meret ; Pohler, Merlin et al. / Life Cycle Assessment in a Nutshell : Best Practices and Status Quo for the Plastic Sector. In: Macromolecular Rapid Communications. 2025 ; Vol. 46, No. 8.
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