Environmental analysis of productive chain of an oleaginous Camelina (Camelina sativa) for the production of bio products

This study evaluated the environmental impact of renewable jet fuel derived from Camelina oil. The indicator chosen is the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of the functional unit (1 MJ of Jet Fuel) and its associated by-products. The impacts of the farming were determined with agronomic and qualitative data obtained as part of the SUSCACE project activities on the cultivation of Camelina in Pisa and Bologna. As source of secondary data was used several publications and BioGrace, while the impact assessment of the downstream sector from farming to pressure extraction was performed, according to IPCC, taking into account the transformation processes implemented for the exploitation of by-products obtained along the entire production chain as well as transportation. The results of the LCA of considered chains were compared with those of equivalent conventional products. Regarding the cultivation phase of Camelina, the impact related to the functional unit in Bologna is found to be on average 28% higher than that in Pisa, as consequence of a greater diesel requirement (30 % lower in Pisa), and its lower yield (41% lower than Pisa). However, it is relevant to show that N requirements of Bologna were considerably lower than Pisa. Consequently, N2O emissions are lower with significant repercussions on the impact of the final product and on each production step. Regarding the end life scenario the advantage of bio-products derives from their biodegradability that substantially reduces or eliminates the disposal processes and their lower toxicity when it is compared to fossil-based product.