Title: Economic and environmental analysis of the wine bottle production in Spain by means of life cycle assessment

Authors: Alfonso Aranda, Ignacio Zabalza, Sabina Scarpellini

Addresses: CIRCE Foundation, Centre of Research for Energy Resources and Consumption, CPS, University of Zaragoza, Maria de Luna, 3 – 50018, Zaragoza, Spain. ' CIRCE Foundation, Centre of Research for Energy Resources and Consumption, CPS, University of Zaragoza, Maria de Luna, 3 – 50018, Zaragoza, Spain. ' CIRCE Foundation, Centre of Research for Energy Resources and Consumption, CPS, University of Zaragoza, Maria de Luna, 3 – 50018, Zaragoza, Spain

Abstract: The article|s objective is to analyse the improvements obtained by the implementation of eco-efficiency in wine production. The principal aim is to achieve the rational energy and materials consumption in the whole wine production process implementing the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) methodology. The production processes and the products are analysed taking into account their LCA from the raw materials and the intermediate process products, to the final product, the waste and the emissions generated. Their possible re-utilisation and the process integration are also analysed in order to minimise the load pollutant. Through LCA, energy, material requirements and waste are identified and described quantitatively for each process. Moreover the associated impacts are evaluated and explained identifying the processes with higher improvement potential. Finally the innovative solutions implemented for eco-efficient wine production are described and analysed.

Keywords: dematerialisation; eco-efficiency; energy management; environmental impact; lifecycle assessment; lifecycle analysis; LCA; emissions minimisation; rational energy use; waste reuse; wine production; environmental analysis; economic analysis; waste management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJARGE.2005.007199

International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, 2005 Vol.4 No.2, pp.178 - 191

Published online: 06 Jun 2005 *

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