Life Cycle Assessment of a 3D printer : A comparative and attributional life cycle assessment of 3D printer

Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) bio printing offers a wide range of applications, including the placement, design, and patterning of biological components such as living cells, nucleic acids, tissues, and many more. Bioprinting has seen great growth and breakthroughs in recent years, particularly in 3D printing. The company (which do not want to be named) produce a user- friendly and adaptable bioprinter that provides the best bioprinting experience.  This thesis examines the environmental consequences of a 3D printer, through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) over its lifetime which is anticipated to be 1 year for the study. To examine the impacts of the 3D printer over its lifetime, a comparative life cycle assessment (Comparative LCA) and attributional life cycle assessment (ALCA) was undertaken between the supply chains known as linear supply chain (LSC) and circular supply chain (CSC). Global warming (GW), terrestrial acidification (TA), freshwater eutrophication (FET), terrestrial ecotoxicity (TEC), freshwater ecotoxicity (FEC), marine ecotoxicity (MEC), land use (LU), and water consumption (WC) are the impact categories chosen for the study from ReCiPe 2016 (H) Midpoint.  According to the LCA results, the impacts generated by CSC are smaller than those contributed by LSC, and the impact categories that are most and least affected are recognized. Furthermore, from the 3D printer, potential hotspots with higher contributions were discovered. Airway transfer of 3D printer’s components from their manufacturing site to the company had a significant impact on the impact categories chosen. Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) used in 3D printers are another influential component that has a significant impact on the impact categories. When specifically looking, the manufacture of Integrated Circuits (IC) has a greater impact, which reflects on PCB production.  To identify the opportunities and improve 3D printer’s environmental performance, a sensitivity analysis is carried out, which yields results on how to improve its environmental performance. As a result, it is suggested that airway transportation be modified with seaway transportation, that virgin aluminium and copper materials be replaced with its scrap material