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(81-09) Life Cycle Assessment of agrochemicals: implications for impact assessment modelling. Geisler, Georg*,1, Hofstetter, Thomas1, Hungerbuehler, Konrad1, 1 Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland ABSTRACT- The use of Life Cycle Assessment in chemical industry, as a screening criterion in the development process of agrochemicals, is evaluated in co-operation with Syngenta Crop Protection. Model choice for Life Cycle Impact Assessment is discussed here. As a case-study, the two plant growth regulators trinexapac-ethyl and chlorocholine chloride are used. Processes in the life cycle of agrochemicals are sorted into three main economic sectors relevant to the goal of the study: Firstly, the production of the agrochemical and the formulation ingredients in the sector of chemical industry. This sector is in charge of the product development of agrochemicals. Secondly, the agricultural application of the formulated agrochemical, which sets the main goals for the product development process. Lastly, all other processes in the life cycle, which are mainly energy supply and transport services. For each sector, characteristical elementary flows and their potential impacts are identified. The contribution of each sector's characteristical elementary flows to the total environmental impact is calculated with the CML method of impact assessment. A local sensitivity analysis of the characteristic elementary flows of each sector is carried out. From this information, the necessary degree of detail of fate and effect modelling is evaluated. In a further scenario analysis it is explored, whether the results can be extrapolated to other agrochemicals by variation of the functional unit and the substance properties. Key words: agrochemicals, Life Cycle Impact Assessment, fate and effect modelling |
