Chapter 25: Life Cycle Analysis of CO₂ Valorisation

This chapter provides a short introduction to the mainly applied environmental assessment methodology, life cycle assessment. Based on life cycle assessment, CO₂-based production of methane, methanol, carbon monoxide, dimethyl ether, dimethyl carbonate, and polyols regarding global warming, acidification, ecotoxicity, freshwater eutrophication, and abiotic resource use is evaluated. It is shown that the CO₂-based production of DME, polyols, and CO is interesting from an environmental point of view as some environmental impacts are reduced when compared with the conventional alternative production.