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Institutional Repository [SANDBOX]
Technical University of Crete
Technical University of Crete
EN
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EL
| URI | http://purl.tuc.gr/dl/dias/D753C5B5-54CB-4CB8-B970-1ED5E349DAF1 | - |
| Identifier | https://doi.org/10.26233/heallink.tuc.103754 | - |
| Language | en | - |
| Extent | 85 pages | en |
| Title | LCA-based sustainability assessment of macroalgae as a bioplastic feedstock | en |
| Creator | Nikoloudakis Christos | en |
| Creator | Νικολουδακης Χρηστος | el |
| Contributor [Thesis Supervisor] | Tsoutsos Theocharis | en |
| Contributor [Thesis Supervisor] | Τσουτσος Θεοχαρης | el |
| Contributor [Committee Member] | Gikas Petros | en |
| Contributor [Committee Member] | Γκικας Πετρος | el |
| Contributor [Committee Member] | Fountoulakis Michail | en |
| Contributor [Committee Member] | Φουντουλακης Μιχαηλ | el |
| Publisher | Πολυτεχνείο Κρήτης | el |
| Publisher | Technical University of Crete | en |
| Academic Unit | Πολυτεχνείο Κρήτης::Σχολή Χημικών Μηχανικών και Μηχανικών Περιβάλλοντος | el |
| Content Summary | Plastic is a versatile, resilient, and low-cost material that is essential and widely used in our daily lives. However, producing it relies on fossil resources, which contribute significantly to environmental issues ranging from greenhouse gases to microplastic pollution. Bioplastics derived from seaweed are an emerging alternative to fossil-based and other bio-based plastics. Unlike terrestrial biomass, they do not compete with food, arable land, freshwater, or fertilizers. Polysaccharides extracted from seaweed, such as alginate and agar, have film-forming properties and when combined with additives, these polysaccharides can display superior mechanical and barrier properties comparable to those of conventional plastics. Despite these benefits, research has focused only on the physical properties of these materials, usually excluding the sustainability aspect. Furthermore, insufficient research exists to validate sustainability claims. This thesis evaluated six lab-scale seaweed polysaccharide extraction methods found in the literature and used in bioplastic production. The evaluation used a cradle-to-gate approach and life cycle assessment and aimed to identify hotspots and improvement opportunities for upscaling. Two alternative extraction methods, reactive extrusion and enzyme-based extraction, were identified as having significantly lower environmental impacts across the 18 assessed impact categories. Reactive extrusion had the lowest GWP at 1.34 kg CO2,eq. per functional unit, while the highest GWP was found for a chemical extraction system at 73 kg CO2,eq. per functional unit. The major environmental impact drivers across all systems were energy-intensive processes, influenced significantly by the electricity mix, and certain chemical inputs, such as ethanol and isopropanol. Additionally, a scenario analysis was conducted to assess the effects of renewable energy sources (RES) integration, carbon and nutrient uptake during seaweed cultivation, and ethanol replacement with bioethanol. RES scenarios improved the environmental performance of all assessed systems, the uptake scenario produced mixed results, and the ethanol scenario reduced certain impacts. In conclusion, certain novel extraction methods have the potential to be scaled up. Seaweed-based bioplastics represent a valuable alternative to plastics. However, further research and support are needed to incorporate this key marine resource into the development of a circular bioeconomy. | en |
| Type of Item | Μεταπτυχιακή Διατριβή | el |
| Type of Item | Master Thesis | en |
| License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ | en |
| Date of Item | 2025-07-09 | - |
| Date of Publication | 2025 | - |
| Subject | Life Cycle Assessment | en |
| Subject | LCA | en |
| Subject | Macroalgae | en |
| Subject | Bioplastics | en |
| Bibliographic Citation | Christos Nikoloudakis, "LCA-based sustainability assessment of macroalgae as a bioplastic feedstock", Master Thesis, School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, Chania, Greece, 2025 | el |
| Bibliographic Citation | Χρήστος Νικολουδάκης, "LCA-based sustainability assessment of macroalgae as a bioplastic feedstock", Μεταπτυχιακή Διατριβή, Σχολή Χημικών Μηχανικών και Μηχανικών Περιβάλλοντος, Πολυτεχνείο Κρήτης, Χανιά, Ελλάς, 2025 | el |
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