LCA and SimaPro-based assessment of decarbonization and toxicity reduction in cotton yarn production in Arequipa, Peru.

Abstract

This study presents a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the cotton yarn production process in a company located in Arequipa, Peru, with the aim of identifying opportunities to reduce the environmental impacts associated with this industry. The functional unit considered is the production of 1 kg of cotton yarn, using a “gate-to-gate” approach and primary data validated by the company. The production process begins with the reception and storage of raw cotton, followed by a series of mechanical operations—opener, batan, carding, drawing, doubling, combing, autoleveller, roving, spinning, and winding—that transform the fiber into yarn, generating by-products and waste at each stage. Calculations determined that to obtain 1 kg of yarn, 1.287 kg of raw cotton is required, with an energy consumption of 7.99 kWh and the generation of 0.024 kg of solid waste.