Avaliação comparativa de desempenho ambiental de duas caixas de carga de semi-reboque bitrem graneleiro: compósito natural versus compósito sintético

Abstract

This work presents a comparative evaluation of the environmental performance of two materials: a wood panel and a three layers synthetic panel, both used in the production of the load box of semi-trailer for grains transportation. The evaluation of the environmental performance contemplated the stages of manufacture, use and discarting of the panels. The study involved the characterization of the productive processes of both panels, the accomplishment of a mass balance, the survey of the water and energy consumption of each process and a final environmental performance evaluation using the life cycle assessment (LCA) tool. The mass balance allowed to evaluate the productive process itself, and the LCA, allowed to evaluate the relative impacts related to the insums and materials used, performance of the product and options for discarting after the end of its useful life. The three layers synthetic panel presented better general environmental performance in relation to the wood panel, considering the aspects evaluated in the different stages. The synthetic panel material offers bigger durability for the load box, implying a less number of replacements to fulfill the same functional unit. This aspect was evidenced by LCA as being an important factor, since it had minor impact generation. In order for the methodology to be applicable for the selection of materials with adequate environmental attributes, it is necessary an uniformization of the procedures for the LCA inventory and the creation of national database. This work showed the feasibility of environmental performance of the load box.