Page 70 - Materials Chemistry, Second Edition

54 2 Goal and Scope Definition

modelling of waste treatment has already been addressed in Section 2.2.5.3, and
the necessity of allocations in Section 2.2.2.2.

As illustrated in Figure 2.6, the system boundary also covers collection and
processing of used packaging. Credits are provided for the formation of
secondary materials and usable energy from thermal waste treatment.
The modelling of the regarded product systems requires, at various places,
the application of so-called allocation rules. Two systematic levels are to be
differentiated: An allocation can be required on the level of the individual
processes within the examined product system or between the level of the
examined product system and other product systems.
In the case of process-related allocations multi-input and multi-output
processes are distinguished. The question of the system-related allocation
arises if a product system, apart from the actual performance defined by
the fU, provides added values. This is the case, when the examined product
system provides energy and material flows available for other product
systems or when it processes wastes.

2.3.2.4 Geographical System Boundary
The geographical system boundary for different unit processes is described as
precisely and as differentiated as possible. By this, the geographical scope of the
packaging comparison is characterised. Data acquisition must be related to the
geographical system boundary characterised accordingly. If data as specified is not
available, this would have to be noted expressly.

The geographical scope of this study is the packaging production and the
packaging disposal in Germany.
Some of the raw materials applied in the packaging systems under
examination are produced and traded on a Europe-wide market and from
there also purchased by the German industry. This is valid in particular for
the composite raw materials aluminium and polyethylene as well as for PET
granulate. For these materials, European average data are used.
Liquid packaging board (LPB), used for the examined beverage carton,
originates from north European countries. Production in the countries
of origin and transportation of the packaging materials to Germany are
considered in the modelling.
Concerning production of carton composite material and PET bottles as
well as filling and distribution, the process data are modelled in such a way
as if the appropriate processes had been established in Germany exclusively.
Beverage import and export, which to a certain degree, exists in reality, is
not considered.