Abstract:
An iron and steel production in Pakistan is assessed via life cycle assessment in this study by usage of SimaPro software and IMPACT 2002þ impact assessment method, for the comparison of effects processes (coke making, sintering ,casting ,hot rolling ) and final products (billet, steel rods and bars), concurrently. Cradle-to-gate was the system boundary, and 1 ton of final steel product was selected as functional unit. The highest total environmental impact among the processes, were shown by steel making process , followed by sintering. The human health and climate change are the two categories that exhibited the highest impact . Non-renewable energy sources were depleted highly, during the process of coke production, which contribute negatively in climate change category , because the coke produced in oven gas within the facility, avoided consumption of external energy. The comparison of the impacts for various products revealed that finished products have higher impacts on environment as compared to the impacts caused by the semi-finished products and this is because of the extra processing leading to more energy consumption and emissions. Furthermore on the basis of results of the study conducted on one of iron and steel manufacturing industry of Pakistan to analyze LCA and through data available in literature , (SWOT) analysis is done to determine the strengths, weakness , opportunities and threats. The sustainable production can be achieved through suggestions obtained on the basis of the assessment results.
