Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.5
2.5
Journals
Applied Sciences
Special Issues
Life Cycle Assessment in Sustainable Materials Manufacturing
applsci-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Applied Sciences Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Life Cycle Assessment in Sustainable Materials Manufacturing

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 September 2026 | Viewed by 2941

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Daniele Landi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Management, Information and Production Engineering, University of Bergamo, 24044 Dalmine, Italy
Interests: sustainability; design; planning; virtual simulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Christian Spreafico

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Management, Information and Production Engineering, University of Bergamo, 24044 Dalmine, Italy
Interests: sustainability; patent research; FMEA; eco-design
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The escalating demand for environmentally friendly products, driven by consumer awareness and increasingly stringent regulations, has catalyzed significant research and development in the field of sustainable materials. Materials derived from renewable feedstocks, designed for circularity, or formulated from waste streams are at the forefront of this industrial transformation. However, the manufacturing stage of these materials is often both energy- and resource-intensive, presenting complex trade-offs that can potentially counterbalance their intended environmental benefits.

Life cycle assessment (LCA) provides the standardized framework required for the evaluation of such trade-offs. By systematically mapping all inputs (energy and raw materials) and outputs (emissions and waste) from “cradle to grave” or “cradle to cradle,” LCA identifies environmental hotspots and enables a comparative analysis of different material and manufacturing choices. Its application is essential in order to validate the “green” credentials of new materials and to optimize their production processes with the aim of minimizing their overall environmental footprint.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to our Special Issue,which aims to collate high-quality, original research and comprehensive reviews that showcase the latest advancements and applications of LCA in the context of sustainable material production. We seek to foster a deeper understanding of how LCA can be effectively integrated into the design, development, and upscaling of sustainable materials to ensure they deliver on their environmental promise.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome, and research areas may include the following topics:

  • The development of new LCA methods tailored to emerging materials (e.g., nanomaterials or bio-composites).
  • Addressing uncertainty and data gaps in life cycle inventories for novel manufacturing processes.
  • The integration of LCA with other assessment tools, such as life cycle costing (LCC), social LCA (S-LCA), and material flow analysis (MFA).
  • Dynamic and prospective LCA models to forecast the future impacts of emerging technologies.
  • LCA case studies of sustainable materials manufacturing.
  • Comparative LCA studies of bio-based versus fossil-based materials (e.g., bioplastics or biofuels).
  • Environmental impact assessment of manufacturing processes using recycled feedstocks (e.g., recycled plastics, metals, or textiles).
  • The LCA of advanced manufacturing techniques (e.g., additive manufacturing or 3D printing) for sustainable products.
  • The application of LCA in the early design stages (eco-design) to guide material selection and process design.
  • Quantifying the benefits of circular economy models (e.g., industrial symbiosis and closed-loop recycling) through LCA.
  • Using LCA results to develop environmental product declarations (EPDs) and sustainability labels for materials.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Daniele Landi
Dr. Christian Spreafico
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • life cycle assessment (LCA)
  • sustainable manufacturing
  • sustainable materials
  • circular economy
  • eco-design
  • bio-based materials

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

15 pages, 1634 KB  
Article
Carbon-Efficient Fur Processing: Integrating Embedded IoT Systems in Tanning and Synthetic Textile Manufacturing
by Dimitris Ziouzios, Aikaterini Tsepoura and Vasileios Vasileiadis
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(10), 4920; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16104920 - 14 May 2026
Viewed by 284
Abstract
This research paper examines the environmental impact of natural and synthetic fur coats, focusing exclusively on the processing and manufacturing stages. Using one coat weighing approximately 5 kg as the functional unit, a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is conducted from raw material [...] Read more.
This research paper examines the environmental impact of natural and synthetic fur coats, focusing exclusively on the processing and manufacturing stages. Using one coat weighing approximately 5 kg as the functional unit, a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is conducted from raw material processing to final garment production, explicitly excluding animal farming. The analysis includes key processes such as cleaning, tanning, dyeing, and sewing for natural fur, and polymer production, fabric formation, dyeing, and finishing for synthetic fur. Data from international academic literature (Google Scholar and Scopus) are used to evaluate CO2 emissions, energy and water consumption, chemical inputs, and waste generation. Results indicate that synthetic fur production is energy-intensive but requires relatively low water use, whereas natural fur processing involves high water consumption and chemical treatments, resulting in significantly higher emissions—often reaching hundreds to thousands of kg CO2e per coat. The study further investigates the role of embedded IoT systems in improving efficiency within tanneries and textile manufacturing. Real-time monitoring and automated dosing systems can reduce emissions and chemical use by approximately 10–20%. Case studies of a smart tannery and an IoT-enabled synthetic fur production line illustrate potential implementation pathways. Although such optimizations can reduce environmental impacts, the findings clearly show that natural fur processing remains considerably more carbon-intensive than synthetic alternatives. This research highlights the importance of integrating digital technologies into industrial processes and suggests directions for future work based on real-world operational data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life Cycle Assessment in Sustainable Materials Manufacturing)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 2240 KB  
Article
Tool Requirements for Life Cycle Assessment in the Innovation of Novel Carbon-Storing Construction Materials
by Monica Huang, Ethan Ellingboe, Meng-Yen Lin, Tomás Méndez Echenagucia and Kathrina Simonen
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 4040; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16084040 - 21 Apr 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 338
Abstract
Novel carbon-storing construction materials have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in long-lived building products. In order to understand the full benefits and shortcomings of carbon-storing materials, life cycle assessments (LCAs) must [...] Read more.
Novel carbon-storing construction materials have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in long-lived building products. In order to understand the full benefits and shortcomings of carbon-storing materials, life cycle assessments (LCAs) must be performed. However, material innovators who are looking to perform LCAs of their products during early-stage research and development (R&D) face many challenges. While these challenges have been reported in the literature, this information has been fragmented and required a more comprehensive investigation. We explored these LCA challenges by holding an in-person workshop with sixteen R&D teams who were developing carbon-storing materials and building designs. From the data collected in this workshop, we found that the R&D teams struggled with data availability, biogenic carbon, and uncertainty, which confirmed our findings from the literature. They also struggled with various other LCA topics. Since current LCA tools lack functions that would be useful for this user group, we also proposed a list of tool ideas that could address their LCA needs, which can inform future LCA tool development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life Cycle Assessment in Sustainable Materials Manufacturing)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 1091 KB  
Article
Environmental Trade-Offs in Phosphorus Recovery: A Comparative LCA of Pyrolysis and Hydrothermal Carbonization of Poultry Manure
by Cansu Özel, Aybüke Zeynep Kara and Sıdıka Tuğçe Kalkan
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 2938; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16062938 - 18 Mar 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 349
Abstract
Phosphorus is a non-renewable resource critical for global food security, yet its natural reserves are rapidly depleting. Meanwhile, the poultry industry generates vast amounts of nutrient-rich waste that pose serious environmental risks if not managed properly. While valorizing these wastes offers a sustainable [...] Read more.
Phosphorus is a non-renewable resource critical for global food security, yet its natural reserves are rapidly depleting. Meanwhile, the poultry industry generates vast amounts of nutrient-rich waste that pose serious environmental risks if not managed properly. While valorizing these wastes offers a sustainable raw material alternative, investigating the environmental impacts of recovering them as a phosphorus source is crucial. This study evaluates phosphorus recovery from poultry litter via acid leaching following Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC) and pyrolysis processes holistically. By conducting a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) using this specific substrate and method combination, this work aims to provide comprehensive environmental insights. The impact assessment reveals that the total Global Warming Potential (GWP) is 6.00 kg CO2 eq for the pyrolysis scenario and 4.18 kg CO2 eq for the HTC scenario. Methodologically, a ‘system expansion’ approach was applied to integrate the avoided burdens from poultry manure management into the system boundaries. Furthermore, the inventory analysis revealed that chemical consumption (specifically NaOH and H2SO4) in the production process is the dominant factor not only for Global Warming Potential (GWP) but also across other environmental impact categories evaluated. The findings clearly indicate that chemical intensity predominantly determines the environmental performance across carbon footprint, acidification and other environmental impact categories. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life Cycle Assessment in Sustainable Materials Manufacturing)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

39 pages, 2355 KB  
Review
Life-Cycle Assessment of Innovative Industrial Processes for Photovoltaic Production: Process-Level LCIs, Scale-Up Dynamics, and Recycling Implications
by Kyriaki Kiskira, Nikitas Gerolimos, Georgios Priniotakis and Dimitrios Nikolopoulos
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(1), 501; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16010501 - 4 Jan 2026
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1034
Abstract
The rapid commercialization of next-generation photovoltaic (PV) technologies, particularly perovskite, thin-film roll-to-roll (R2R) architectures, and tandem devices, requires robust assessment of environmental performance at the level of industrial manufacturing processes. Environmental impacts can no longer be evaluated solely at the device or module [...] Read more.
The rapid commercialization of next-generation photovoltaic (PV) technologies, particularly perovskite, thin-film roll-to-roll (R2R) architectures, and tandem devices, requires robust assessment of environmental performance at the level of industrial manufacturing processes. Environmental impacts can no longer be evaluated solely at the device or module level. Although many life-cycle assessment (LCA) studies compare silicon, cadmium telluride (CdTe), copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), and perovskite technologies, most rely on aggregated indicators and database-level inventories. Few studies systematically compile and harmonize process-level life-cycle inventories (LCIs) for the manufacturing steps that differentiate emerging industrial routes, such as solution coating, R2R processing, atomic layer deposition, low-temperature annealing, and advanced encapsulation–metallization strategies. In addition, inconsistencies in functional units, system boundaries, electricity-mix assumptions, and scale-up modeling continue to limit meaningful cross-study comparison. To address these gaps, this review (i) compiles and critically analyzes process-resolved LCIs for innovative PV manufacturing routes across laboratory, pilot, and industrial scales; (ii) quantifies sensitivity to scale-up, yield, throughput, and electricity carbon intensity; and (iii) proposes standardized methodological rules and open-access LCI templates to improve reproducibility, comparability, and integration with techno-economic and prospective LCA models. The review also synthesizes current evidence on recycling, circularity, and critical-material management. It highlights that end-of-life (EoL) benefits for emerging PV technologies are highly conditional and remain less mature than for crystalline-silicon systems. By shifting the analytical focus from technology class to manufacturing process and life-cycle configuration, this work provides a harmonized evidence base to support scalable, circular, and low-carbon industrial pathways for next-generation PV technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life Cycle Assessment in Sustainable Materials Manufacturing)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop