Practical Works: Life Cycle Assessment

The whiteboard marker

We are going to realize a Life Cycle Analysis for a marker by estimating different scenarios:
a "classic", scenario,
a "technological" scenario,
and a scenario dedicated to "valorisation".

The first one is in compliance with the current life of a marker.

The "technological" scenario suggests changing certain materials used to measure possible
environmental benefits.
The scenario about "valorisation" suggests modelling the recovery of parts to be remanufactured and
reused in a new product.

Product presentation

Support of
Caps felt-tips Felt-tips Ink cartridge Body Ink

Polyethylene Polyethylene

Injection Injection Injection

molding molding molding

Data on the life cycle

Marker lifetime: 6 months
Usage: 2 h/day
Logistic
The aluminium body is manufactured in Frankfurt (Germany) and the product assembly is done in
Grenoble. The aluminium bodies are transported by trucks - 28t – with 50% of their maximium weight-
between Frankfurt and Bale (330 km) and between Geneva and Grenoble (145 km), and by electric
train from Bale to Geneva (251 km).
The product distribution is done by truck in the Grenoble area and the area is about 20 km around
Grenoble.
Assembly
The product assembly is done in Grenoble and needs 1MJ/kg of products (French Mix between 70% of
hydraulic energy and 30% of nuclear energy)
Usage
During the use phase, the product emission considered is ethanol in the air
End of life
The product is completely incinerated and the collection is done in an area about 10 km around
Grenoble.
Alternatives scenarios
- The second scenario to be modelled is identical to the first one, except that the aluminium body is
replaced by a body in Polyethylene. Its weight is then 15 gr.
- The third scenario is identical to the first one except for the end of life. We consider that 90 % of the
markers are recovered and 10 % are incinerated. The collected markers are dismantled and
cleaned. Caps and support of felt-tips are fully recycled, and 75 % of aluminium bodies are
remanufactured, the remaining 25 % are recycled.

We consider that:
- The centre of dismantling is situated in Grenoble and the collection is about 10 km around Grenoble
by truck.
- The transport of parts from the dismantling centre to the incinerator is about 5 km, by truck
- The remanufacturing is supposed to have 30% impact of that of the manufacturing for a new one.
(http://aip-tricholome.aipds.grenoble-inp.fr/Citrix/ApplisAIP-Primeca-DSWeb/ Aip-simapro-v8)