Hao Xi: Life Cycle Assessment-driven future Kraft pulping: a design for added-value

Modern pulp mills are evolving into multi-product biorefineries, leveraging the Kraft process to produce both traditional pulp and high-value derivatives like lignin, a potential renewable alternative to fossil fuels. To ensure these bio-based products offer genuine environmental advantages, rigorous sustainability criteria must be applied. This study utilizes the ISO-standardized Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology to evaluate the environmental performance of new product portfolios and production processes. By analyzing process interactions, environmental "hotspots," and the influence of various allocation methods, the LCA model provides a framework for identifying trade-offs and optimizing resource efficiency. Ultimately, these insights serve as a strategic tool for R&D decision-making, guiding the transition toward low-impact production and supporting global climate change mitigation efforts.