Abstract
This paper describes the Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) analysis of bagasse pulp used as raw material for packaging in comparison with that of eucalyptus pulp. An LCI analysis on the bagasse pulp produced from local pulp industry (100,000 Bone dry metric tons) located close to a sugar mill in Thailand was conducted. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) wood pulp originated from Western Australia was considered as the reference pulp to compare with that of bagasse. These pulps are assumed to be used in Japan as the packaging materials. Carbon dioxide fixation during growing process was included in the LCI analysis in this study. It is demonstrated that total CO2 emission is 165,209 tCO2 per year for bagasse pulp while 185,216 tCO2 per year for eucalyptus pulp in order to provide furnish as packaging materials. The amount of CO2 absorption is 367,500 tCO2 per year for bagasse pulp while 294,548 tCO2 per year for eucalyptus pulp. These results suggest that the use of bagasse pulp, a non-wood biomass resource, as the packaging material has a potential to contribute the reduction of the greenhouse gas emission.
