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512 Refining Biomass Residues for Sustainable Energy and Bioproducts

Figure 23.1 An overview of surfactants used in the market based on their origin.

induced by synthetic detergents the use of eco-friendly, green, and biologically
derived biosurfactants have been promoted (Marchant and Banat, 2012). Generally,
surfactants can be generated by one of the three routes, namely, petrochemicals
(from petroleum products), oleochemicals (from plant oils), or biosurfactants (plant
or microbial) as depicted in Fig. 23.1. The use of petrochemical- and oleochemical-
derived surfactants has gained predominance over biosurfactants due to their eco-
nomic feasibility compared to biosurfactants. However, the cost of environmental
pollution induced by the former two processes in causing increased greenhouse gas
emission, global warming, ozone depletion, etc. is highly significant. The current
chapter thus targets the life-cycle analysis (LCA) of different surfactant systems
and outlays the process of LCA at a whole.

23.2 Life-cycle analysis—an overview

LCA of any process plays a significant role in assessing the entire process of any
synthetic as well as nonsynthetic production right from the raw materials, stages of
production, and finally the aftermaths of the production on the environment as
depicted in Fig. 23.2. In a true sense, all the effects and impacts that can be associ-
ated with all factors contributing to the birth of a product, distribution, and its recy-
cling can be assessed (Frischknecht and Krewitt, 2007). The technical frame or steps
to be obeyed in conducting an LCA analysis has been critically reviewed by the envi-
ronmental protection agencies to get a clear idea on different essential steps in the
better evaluation of any production process (Madsen et al., 2001; Union, 2010).