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Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world. Albert Einstein i Members of the examination committee Prof. dr. ir. Paul Van der Meeren Particle and Interfacial Technology group, Department of Applied Analytical and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University Prof. dr. ir. Steven De Meester Department of industrial biological sciences, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University Dr. ir. Jeroen Guinée Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Faculty of Science, Leiden University Prof. dr. ir. Kim Verbeken Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ghent University Prof. dr. Karl Vrancken Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek (VITO) Department of Bioscience Engineering, Antwerp University Promotors Prof. dr. ir. Jo Dewulf Research Group Environmental Organic Chemistry and Technology (Envoc), Department of Sustainable organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University Prof. dr. ir. Karel Van Acker Research group Sustainable Metals Processing and Recycling, Department of Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Science, University of Leuven Dean Prof dr. ir. Marc Van Meirvenne Rector Prof. dr. Anne De Paepe ii Faculty of Bioscience Engineering Analysis and development of indicators for a sustainable use of natural resources in a life cycle perspective ir. Sofie Huysman Thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor (PhD) in Applied Biological Sciences: Environmental Technology 2016 iii Nederlandse vertaling: Analyse en ontwikkeling van indicatoren voor een duurzaam gebruik van natuurlijke grondstoffen in een levenscyclusperspectief. Funding: This work is supported by a research project of the Flemish Policy Research Center for Sustainable Materials Management (Steunpunt SuMMa). To refer to this thesis: Huysman, S. (2016) Analysis and development of indicators for a sustainable use of natural resources in a life cycle perspective. PhD thesis, Ghent University, Belgium The authors and the promotors give the authorization to consult and to copy parts of this work for personal use only. Every other use is subject to the copyright laws. Permission to reproduce any material contained in this work should be obtained from the author iv Table of Contents List of abbrevations ................................................................................................................ vii Summary ......................................................................................................................... ix Samenvatting ......................................................................................................................... xi Chapter 1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 1 1.1 A diversity of resource-related indicators .................................................................. 1 1.2 Resource footprint indicators ....................................................................................... 4 1.3 Resource efficiency indicators ...................................................................................... 7 1.4 Objectives and structure of the PhD ............................................................................ 8 Chapter 2 The exergy concept ...................................................................................... 11 2.1 What is exergy ............................................................................................................... 11 2.2 Calculation of exergy ................................................................................................... 13 2.3 Exergy in industrial system analysis ......................................................................... 15 2.4 Exergy in sustainability analysis ................................................................................ 16 2.5 Conclusions .................................................................................................................... 19 Chapter 3 Toward an overall resource footprint indicator at macroscale ................ 21 3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 21 3.2 Materials and methods ................................................................................................ 24 3.2.1 A world IO-model as inventory methodology .............................................. 24 3.2.2 CEENE as resource accounting methodology ............................................... 26 3.3 Results and discussion ................................................................................................. 27 3.3.1 The new IO-CEENE indicator........................................................................... 27 3.3.2 Selection of elementary flows for matrix B .................................................. 28 3.3.3 Determination of characterization factors ................................................... 30 3.3.4 Example of the use of IO-CEENE ..................................................................... 32 3.3.5 Discussion .......................................................................................................... 35 Chapter 4 Toward a systematized framework for resource efficiency indicators ....................................................................................................... 37 4.1 Establishing a systematized framework .................................................................... 37 4.1.1 Defining efficiency ........................................................................................... 38 4.1.2 Defining benefits, flows and impacts ............................................................ 38 4.1.3 Systematized framework ................................................................................. 41 4.2 Illustrating the use of the framework ....................................................................... 43 4.2.1 Structuring indicators for natural/industrial resources............................ 43 4.2.2 Structuring indicators for waste-as-resources ............................................ 46 4.2.3 Analysis of indicators for natural/industrial resources ............................. 48 4.2.4 Analysis of indicators for waste-as-resources ............................................. 50 4.3 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 50 v Chapter 5 The environmental impacts of an average citizen in the European Union ............................................................................................................. 53 5.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 53 5.2 Materials and methods ................................................................................................ 56 5.2.1 Mathematical structure ................................................................................... 56 5.2.2 The LCA-approach ............................................................................................ 57 5.2.3 The IO-approach ............................................................................................... 58 5.2.4 Impact assessment ........................................................................................... 59 5.3 Results and Discussion ................................................................................................. 61 5.3.1 Global Warming and Resource Consumption .............................................. 61 5.3.2 Other impact categories .................................................................................. 67 5.4 Conclusions .................................................................................................................... 67 Chapter 6 The recyclability benefit rate of plastic waste treatment in Flanders .... 71 6.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 71 6.2 Materials and methods ................................................................................................ 73 6.2.1 Scope definition ................................................................................................ 73 6.2.2 Description of case A ........................................................................................ 74 6.2.3 Description of case B ........................................................................................ 75 6.2.4 Life cycle impact assessment .......................................................................... 76 6.2.5 Resource efficiency indicator ......................................................................... 77 6.3 Results and discussion ................................................................................................. 77 6.3.1 Impact results of case A ................................................................................... 77 6.3.2 Impact results of case B ................................................................................... 79 6.3.3 Indicator results of case A ............................................................................... 81 6.3.4 Indicator results of case B ............................................................................... 82 6.4 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................