Simplified Life Cycle Assessment of a Conveyor Belting

Abstract

This paper deals with the simplified life cycle assessment (LCA) of a bucket wheel excavator (BWE) conveyor belting. Belting is the most important component of a belt conveyor. Simplified LCA was conducted with the Ecodesign Assistant (EA) and the Ecodesign PILOT (EP) software tools. Conveyor belting was recognised as ABE hybrid type product, whose 'raw material', 'manufacture' and 'end of life' stages are significant in its life cycle. After the second iteration, the conveyor belting was recognised as a 'raw material' and 'manufacture' intensive product. Further analysis considered strategies for possible product improvement suggested by the EP tool. This particular analysis of conveyor belting is part of a complete LCA of the BWE belt conveyor which should provide a basis for establishment of the methodology for conducting LCA studies of a BWE or similar types of belt conveyors.