LCA of a Waste to Resource Technology: Minerals derived from Desalination Waste
Challenge
Hydrophis wanted to investigate the environmental impact of extracting the calcium carbonate (CaCO3) initially. Through further R&D, they also devised a method for extracting magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) from brine waste at a desalination plant in Australia. The client needed to understand and quantify the environmental impacts associated with the technology in order to determine their next R&D and marketing steps. Yordas utilised their LCA, chemistry, and industry knowledge to help overcome technical and data-related challenges and ensure timely completion of the study.
Client
About the Client
Hydrophis UK Ltd (hereafter referred to as Hydrophis) is a UK-Australian-based environmental start-up and pioneer of a novel technology that extracts calcium and magnesium based compounds from desalination waste to create new products for industrial use, such as fuel cells, cement, glass, heat management for batteries, thermocouple, fire retardancy, or pharmaceutical and cosmetic uses.
Our Solution
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Yordas conducted a multi-indicator LCA following the four-stage ISO 14040:2006 framework. The approach was iterative, often revisiting previous stages, to ensure full alignment with study goals.
Stage 1 – Goal and scope definition: all study goal and scope elements, such as the functional unit (1 kg of each product), system boundary, and data quality requirements were agreed with Hydrophis, upon commencing the project. This provided the framework for the rest of the study and was used to inform the data collection process.
Stage 2 – Inventory Analysis: worked closely with the client to use primary data from the pilot plant as a foundation for the LCA models. Yordas utilised its Data Management Tool (DMT) to assist in the data collection process. We established an inventory of product inputs (such as ingredients, materials, and energy requirements) and outputs (such as products, waste, and emissions) for each process, along with accompanying metadata including data sources and methods, to support the data quality assessment.
Stage 3 – Impact Assessment: product modelling was carried out using the LCA for Experts (formerly GaBi) software for each of the agreed environmental impacts.
Stage 4 – Interpretation: an environmental profile was generated for both products and a hotspot analysis was performed to highlight the processes that contributed significantly to the overall footprint. A report containing the results of the environmental assessment was provided to Hydrophis including interpretations and recommendations on next steps.
Benefits to the Client
The study provided quantifiable, data-driven insights and recommendations for Hydrophis to incorporate into their environmental programme. Specifically:
Knowledge of the environmental footprint of each product and potential trade-offs between impacts to consider (e.g., carbon reduction vs. ozone depletion)
Identification of product hotspots where process design or material decisions can effectively reduce environmental impact thus helping Hydrophis to make targeted and informed decisions.
Evidence-based recommendations including pathways to optimise performance and achieve carbon reduction goals, such as advice on material changes, the utilisation of local suppliers, and stakeholder collaboration, in accordance with best practices.
Overall, Yordas’ study and recommendations not only help Hydrophis meet its environmental goals but also contribute to its overall sustainability strategy, potentially enhancing their brand reputation and market competitiveness.
Start your LCA journey today
If you're interested in conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA) but are unsure of where to begin or what is required, we're here to help.
Our team at Yordas specialises in LCA services and can provide you with the guidance and support you need to kickstart your sustainability journey. We are here to support you every step of the way as you work towards improving the environmental performance of your products and processes. To request a free consultation and learn more about our LCA services, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.
Additionally, more information about our LCA services can be found on our website here. We look forward to hearing from you and being a part of your sustainability journey.