85528bc3-529c-4d29-ad95-788f1c6bd88aEthyl acrylateacid-catalysed esterification reaction of acrylic acid and ethanolproduction mix, at producerCAS: 140-88-5 . C5H8O2Materials productionOrganic chemicalsThe main data source is a primary data collection from European producers of EA. Primary data on gate-to-gate EA production is derived from site-specific information for processes under operational control supplied by the participating companies of this Eco-profile. In the case of EA three different producers with three plants in three European countries participated in the primary data collection. About 100% of the European EA production capacity (EU-27) in 2012 is covered.0Primary production data for the EA production is from three different suppliers with three plants in three European countries (Germany, France and Czech Republic). Fuel and energy inputs in the system reflect average European conditions and whenever applicable, site specific conditions were applied, to reflect representative situations. Therefore, the study results are intended to be applicable within EU boundaries: adjustments might be required if the results are applied to other regions. EA imported into Europe is not considered in this Eco-profile.Foreground system:
To synthesisze EA, acrylic acid and a small excess (10 – 30%) of an alcohol are fed into a reactor packed with a cation-exchange resin and operated at a temperature of 60 to 80°C. In the case of Ethyl acrylate the alcohol used can be petro-based or bio-based Ethanol. In this Eco-profile both Ethanol sources are included. The reaction liquid is then stripped to remove unreacted acid which is recycled as well as high boiling materials. Then water is separated and alcohol is extracted and recovered for reuse. Polymerizsation inhibitors, such as hydroquinone or phenothiazine, are added to each column. Crude ester remaining is distilled to obtain acrylate of high purity
Background system:
Electricity: Electricity is modelled according to the individual country-specific situations. The country-specific modelling is achieved on multiple levels. Firstly, individual energy carrier specific power plants and plants for renewable energy sources are modelled according to the current national electricity grid mix. Modelling the electricity consumption mix includes transmission / distribution losses and the own use by energy producers (own consumption of power plants and "other" own consumption e.g. due to pumped storage hydro power etc.), as well as imported electricity. Secondly, the national emission and efficiency standards of the power plants are modelled as well as the share of electricity plants and combined heat and power plants (CHP). Thirdly, the country-specific energy carrier supply (share of imports and / or domestic supply) including the country-specific energy carrier properties (e.g. element and energy content) are accounted for. Fourthly, the exploration, mining/production, processing and transport processes of the energy carrier supply chains are modelled according to the specific situation of each electricity producing country. The different production and processing techniques (emissions and efficiencies) in the different energy producing countries are considered, e.g. different crude oil production technologies or different flaring rates at the oil platforms.
Thermal energy, process steam: The thermal energy and process steam supply is modelled according to the individual country-specific situation with regard to emission standards and considered energy carriers. The thermal energy and process steam are produced at heat plants. Efficiencies for thermal energy production are by definition 100% in relation to the corresponding energy carrier input. For process steam the efficiency ranges from 85%, 90% to 95%. The energy carriers used for the generation of thermal energy and process steam are modelled according to the specific import situation (see electricity above).
Transports: All relevant and known transport processes are included. Ocean-going and inland ship transport as well as rail, truck and pipeline transport of bulk commodities are considered.
Energy carriers: The energy carriers are modelled according to the specific supply situation (see electricity above).
Refinery products: Diesel fuel, gasoline, technical gases, fuel oils, lubricants and residues such as bitumen are modelled with a parameterised country-specific refinery model. The refinery model represents the current national standard in refining techniques (e.g. emission level, internal energy consumption, etc.) as well as the individual country-specific product output spectrum, which can be quite different from country to country. The supply of crude oil is modelled, again, according to the country-specific situation with the respective properties of the resources.EA is mostly used as co-monomers with acrylic acid, acrylates, methacrylates, olefins, etc.. It is also used as a chemical intermediate to produce other monomers by transesterification and molecules through chemical synthesis, because of its high affinity for addition reactions with many inorganic and organic compounds. The resulting materials are ingredients used in coatings, elastomers, water treatment, leather finishing, adhesives/sealants, thicken-ers, surfactants, fibers, plastics, textiles, inks and pharmaceutical intermediates.ebam_gaa production.jpgebam_acrylate production.jpgThe calculation follows the vertical calculation methodology, i.e. that the averaging is done after modelling the specific processes. Restrictions on competition and confidentiality do not allow displaying and describing the systems and analysing details.LCI resultAttributionalNoneAllocation - market valueAllocation - net calorific valueAllocation - exergetic contentAllocation - massNot applicableForeground system: For the production of crude acrylic acid (CAA) in some cases price allocation is applied, as the by-products are marketed as well. These products have much lower assignments compared to the main product of this production step (CAA). Due to the significantly lower amount of by-product and a lower market value, the influence of the allocation is negligible. For the production of EA no allocation has been applied in the foreground system.
Background system: For the combined heat and power production, allocation by exergetic content is applied. For the electricity generation and by-products, e.g. gypsum, allocation by market value is applied due to no common physical properties. Within the refinery allocation by net calorific value and mass is used. For the combined crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids production allocation by net calorific value is applied.
For details please see the document "GaBi Databases Modelling Principles"All data used in the calculation of the LCI results refer to net calorific value.NoneGaBi Modelling PrinciplesGaBi Water Modelling PrinciplesEco-profiles and Environmental Declarations, Version 2.0 (April 2011)In the foreground processes all relevant flows are considered, trying to avoid any cut-off of material and energy flows. According to the GaBi database 2014, used in the background processes, at least 95 % of mass and energy of the input and output flows are covered and 98 % of their environmental relevance (according to expert judgment) is considered, hence an influence of cut-offs less than 2 % on the total is expected.None100% coverage of the European industryNoneThe data set represents the specific situation in Europe, focusing on the main technologies used for producing EA in Europe. Primary production data for the EA production comes from three different suppliers in the EU.NoneULLMANN'S Encyclopedia of Industrial ChemistryIndividual industry data100.0The considered participants covered 100% of all EA production capacity in Europe in 2012.European producers act as a main source of data for the production of EA on the basis of a direct questionnaire. Primary data on gate-to-gate EA production is derived from site specific information for processes under operational control supplied by the participating companies of this study. The data for the upstream supply chain until the precursors are either taken from literature, provided by the suppliers or comes from the software system GaBi 6.2013-2014NoneThe data set can be used for all LCA/CF studies where the product is needed. Combination with individual unit processes using this commodity enables the generation of user-specific (product) LCAs.
EA is mostly used as co-monomers with acrylic acid, acrylates, methacrylates, olefins, etc.. It is also used as a chemical intermediate to produce other monomers by transesterification and molecules through chemical synthesis, because of its high affinity for addition reactions with many inorganic and organic compounds. The resulting materials are ingredients used in coatings, elastomers, water treatment, leather finishing, adhesives/sealants, thicken-ers, surfactants, fibers, plastics, textiles, inks and pharmaceutical intermediates.No statementAll data sets in the GaBi Databases are constantly used, compared, benchmarked and reviewed by a broad GaBi user community. Calculated results are published frequently in various external, professional and third party LCA literature, papers, and other media within industry, academia and politics. The incorporation of feedback provided by the GaBi users is standard practice in the maintenance and update procedure, and leads to stable, quality-assured and constantly improved data. The internal review is done with several iterative steps involving raw data validation, raw data documentation, representativeness, completeness and consistent modelling with regard to ISO 14040 and 14044. The data set documentation is correct in respect to the appropriateness of the information available. It includes all relevant information in relation to data quality and the scope of application of the respective LCI result.thinkstepThe LCA practitioners have demonstrated very good competence and experience, with a track record of LCA projects in the chemical and plastics industry. The critical review confirms that this Eco-profile adheres to the rules set forth in the PlasticsEurope’s Eco-profiles and Environmental Declarations – LCI Methodology and PCR for Uncompounded Polymer Resins and Reactive Polymer Precursors (PCR version 2.0, April 2011). As a result, this dataset is assessed to be a reliable and high quality representation of GAA, MA, EA, BA and 2-EHA produced in Europe. DEKRA Assurance Services GmbHGaBi conformity systemFully compliantFully compliantFully compliantFully compliantFully compliantNot definedUNEP SETAC Life Cycle InitiativeNot definedNot definedNot definedNot definedNot definedNot definedILCD Data Network - Entry-levelNot definedFully compliantFully compliantNot definedFully compliantNot definedEBAMThis background LCI data set can be used for any types of LCA studies. LCA studies considering the full life cycle (»cradle-to-grave«) of an application or product allow for comparative assertions to be derived. It is essential to note that comparisons cannot be made at the level of the polymer or its precursors. In order to compare the performance of different materials, the whole life cycle and the effects of relevant life cycle parameters must be considered. It is intended to be used by member companies, to support product-orientated environmental management; by users of plastics, as a building block of life cycle assessment (LCA) studies of individual products; and by other interested parties, as a source of life cycle information.thinkstep2020-01-01T00:00:00.000ILCD format 1.1thinkstepNo official approval by producer or operator2020-01-01T00:00:00.00000.00.001Data set finalised; entirely publishedGaBi databasesEBAMtrueOtherGaBi (source code, database including extension modules and single data sets, documentation) remains property of Thinkstep AG. Thinkstep AG delivers GaBi licenses comprising data storage medium and manual as ordered by the customer. The license guarantees the right of use for one installation of GaBi. Further installations using the same license are not permitted. Additional licenses are only valid if the licensee holds at least one main license. Licenses are not transferable and must only be used within the licensee's organisation. Data sets may be copied for internal use. The number of copies is restricted to the number of licenses of the software system GaBi the licensee owns. The right of use is exclusively valid for the licensee. All rights reserved.Ethyl acrylateOutput1.01.00Mixed primary / secondaryMeasuredvaluable