Title: A comparative life cycle assessment based evaluation of greenhouse gas emission and social study: natural fibre versus glass fibre reinforced plastic automotive parts

Authors: Masoud Akhshik; Suhara Panthapulakkal; Jimi Tjong; Mohini Sain

Addresses: Centre for Biocomposites and Biomaterials Processing, Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, 1009-33 Willcocks St., ON M5S 3B3, Toronto, Canada ' Centre for Biocomposites and Biomaterials Processing, Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, 1009-33 Willcocks St., ON M5S 3B3, Toronto, Canada ' Centre for Biocomposites and Biomaterials Processing, Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, 1009-33 Willcocks St., ON M5S 3B3, Toronto, Canada ' Centre for Biocomposites and Biomaterials Processing, Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, 1009-33 Willcocks St., ON M5S 3B3, Toronto, Canada

Abstract: Current atmospheric CO₂ concentration in our atmosphere is already over 400 ppm, which is 50 ppm beyond our planetary boundary. Every single step towards reducing our carbon emission is important. Fuel saving due to the light weighting of the automotive materials will reduce greenhouse gas emission in the transportation sector, if the light weighting roots from a by-product natural fibre, such as sawdust or agricultural waste, the emission reduction would be more effective. The current study is a comparative life cycle assessment based evaluation of greenhouse gas emission of the current plastic engine beauty cover, and natural fibre reinforced counterpart. This study also analyses the questionnaire results gotten from 600 new car owners (or leaser) as a small sample of a buyer society.

Keywords: life cycle assessment; LCA; greenhouse gases; GHG; natural fibre; automotive parts; survey study.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGW.2018.093125

International Journal of Global Warming, 2018 Vol.15 No.3, pp.350 - 369

Received: 01 Oct 2016
Accepted: 25 May 2017
Published online: 10 Jul 2018 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article