Análise ambiental do uso da fibra de Ananas Erectifolius (Curauá) na produção de compósitos para uso industrial

Abstract

The bioeconomy can lead to the gradual replacement of fossilbased raw materials and non-renewable resources by biomass and renewable biological resources. Polymeric composites, reinforced with natural fibers, have been highlighted as an alternative technology for processing new materials that provide less environmental impact. The use of plant fibers to make products that have less impact on the environment is an environmentally and economically promising alternative in regions such as the Amazon. Among the plant fibers that have aroused interest in various industrial sectors is the fiber from a plant originating in the Amazon region of Brazil, the curauá (Ananas erectifolius). In this context, the general objective of this study was to evaluate the environmental impacts along the curauá production chain for the use of its fiber in polymeric composites used in industry. For this, a composite was produced using 5% curauá fiber and 95% low density polyethylene (LDPE) and another composite with 5% curauá fiber and 95% high density polyethylene (HDPE). In order to assess the potential impacts, the Life Cycle Assessment tool from cradle to gate was used, that is, from the production of seedlings to the production of composites. The results showed that, in general, composite 1 (curauá + LDPE) and composite 2 (curauá + HDPE) had similar potential impacts. In the fiber production process, the greatest environmental impacts were registered in the seedling production stages and in the defibering stage. The sensitivity analysis related to the production of composites showed a potential impact on the land use category by increasing the fiber concentration, due to the need for a larger planting area for fiber extraction. As for the sensitivity analysis of different concentrations of mucilage, it showed that the relative impacts could be reduced by up to 80%, if a plant with a potential for greater fiber supply was used. Despite the low environmental impact related to the two composites, the production of curauá fiber proved to be unpromising from an environmental point of view, due to the large amount of mucilage resulting from shredding. Future studies related to the production of curauá fibers should take into account the use of residues.