Comparative carbon footprint analysis of four polycarbonates polyurethanes by using Life Cycle and a Supply Chain Mapping approaches

This thesis work provides a comparative carbon footprint analysis of four types of polyurethane technologies (hybrids, solvent-based and water-based) manufactured by Stahl, a leather chemicals, high-performance coatings, and polymers company, with the objective of determining if shifting production from solvent-based polyurethanes technology to hybrid polyurethanes technology may help with the company's Scope 3 reduction goals. The carbon footprint of the four products has been calculated, through the use of the LCA methodology, and once the results have been obtained a supply chain mapping analysis has been conducted on those raw materials identified as hotspots. The results showed that the two hybrid polyurethanes have a lower carbon footprint value with respect to the traditional solvent-based polyurethane, and as a result of this, a shift in production from solvent-based to hybrid polyurethanes may help the company in achieving Scope 3 emission reduction targets. The supply chain mapping analysis showed that the two main causes common to all hotspots are the origin of the materials, derivatives of hydrocarbon products, and very energy-intensive production processes, while other causes include the use and production of highly impactful chemical compounds. Bio/circular solutions have been proposed to overcome these difficulties.