The agri-food sector is at the core of European strategies for ecological transition and is characterized by remarkable complexity: the value chain of food products involves multiple stages, from primary production to processing, preservation, consumption, and ultimately the management of food waste and its packaging. Faced with the challenge of feeding a growing global population, technological development in agri-food systems must aim to increase productivity without further increasing environmental burdens. Moreover, the assessment of food products cannot disregard nutritional and qualitative aspects, which have a direct effect on human health. In this context, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) emerges as a key tool, but requires extensions to adequately capture the complexity of food systems. This doctoral thesis addresses the topic along three main directions: product, packaging, and food waste management. Specifically, with respect to food products, a nutritional Life Cycle Assessment (nLCA) framework is proposed and applied through a case study on orange juice. Regarding packaging, the thesis explores the theme of circularity through the development of innovative packaging solutions produced from food supply chain residues: trays incorporating agricultural waste designed for shelf preservation of small tubers, as well as origami integrating waste from tomato processing with potential applications in the fashion industry. Circularity is also connected to food waste: compost closes the life cycle of food systems allowing biomass to return to the soil. To this end, an environmental and economic assessment of pelletized compost was carried out, highlighting pelletization as a treatment capable of overcoming the limitations associated with compost transport, distribution, and storage, without additional environmental loads. The results demonstrate that LCA, when suitably extended to nutritional or circularity aspects, provides valuable insights into the systems under study and can serve as a decision-support tool capable of guiding industrial innovation and supporting business activities in the transition towards lower-impact solutions.
From environmental analysis to integrated approaches: the role of LCA in driving sustainability in the agri-food sector / Paini, A.. - (2024).
From environmental analysis to integrated approaches: the role of LCA in driving sustainability in the agri-food sector
PAINI, ARIANNA
2024-01-01
Abstract
The agri-food sector is at the core of European strategies for ecological transition and is characterized by remarkable complexity: the value chain of food products involves multiple stages, from primary production to processing, preservation, consumption, and ultimately the management of food waste and its packaging. Faced with the challenge of feeding a growing global population, technological development in agri-food systems must aim to increase productivity without further increasing environmental burdens. Moreover, the assessment of food products cannot disregard nutritional and qualitative aspects, which have a direct effect on human health. In this context, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) emerges as a key tool, but requires extensions to adequately capture the complexity of food systems. This doctoral thesis addresses the topic along three main directions: product, packaging, and food waste management. Specifically, with respect to food products, a nutritional Life Cycle Assessment (nLCA) framework is proposed and applied through a case study on orange juice. Regarding packaging, the thesis explores the theme of circularity through the development of innovative packaging solutions produced from food supply chain residues: trays incorporating agricultural waste designed for shelf preservation of small tubers, as well as origami integrating waste from tomato processing with potential applications in the fashion industry. Circularity is also connected to food waste: compost closes the life cycle of food systems allowing biomass to return to the soil. To this end, an environmental and economic assessment of pelletized compost was carried out, highlighting pelletization as a treatment capable of overcoming the limitations associated with compost transport, distribution, and storage, without additional environmental loads. The results demonstrate that LCA, when suitably extended to nutritional or circularity aspects, provides valuable insights into the systems under study and can serve as a decision-support tool capable of guiding industrial innovation and supporting business activities in the transition towards lower-impact solutions.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
