Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
This LCA shows that our Corkcoal® stoppers demonstrate a substantially lower environmental impact in all categories considered, with reductions ranging from 35% to 95%.
What is Corkcoal®?
The All-in- one Stopper: we blend cork with activated charcoal. Two natural-origin materials working together.
100% Compatible with clear spirits.
100% Neutral in taste and smell.
100% Made from raw materials of natural origin.
We compared Corkcoal® with synthetics stoppers. By LCA Methodology.
We compared our Corkcoal® stoppers with their natural competitors:
Synthetic Stoppers
Our environmental assessment utilised the Life Cycle Assessment methodology to compare Corkcoal®, the allin-one stopper, with it´s standard alternative available on the market, the 100% synthetic stopper.
For this analysis, we used our Corkcoal® 21,5mm Sharp Stopper, and the same shape for the Synthetic as functional units.
The study covered the entire lifecycle, from raw material sourcing to end-of-life, within the framework of the European Union.
We used the LCA methodology backed by certified tools and quality standards.
For the evaluation, the following tools and resources were applied:
• SimaPro software, version 9.4.
• Ecoinvent Database, version 3.8.
• The Environmental footprint Method 3.1.
Compliance with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 quality standards was also ensured.
Analysis and Data.
Data source and inventory of the Comparative LCA Study:
Reach Extraction and processing of necessary materials for manufacturing of the product.
Extraction and processing of materials for the manufacture of the product packaging.
Transporting of materials and containers from the suppliers to the production point.
Production of the stoppers. The waste generated in this phase is used in the biomass boiler.
Treatment of the stoppers and its packaging as waste. Spanish and European data are considered representative.
Source Primary data from suppliers and secondary data from Ecoinvent
Primary data from suppliers and secondary data from Ecoinvent and suppliers (carbon footprint of activated charcoal).
Country of origin provided by suppliers and distances calculated with Google Maps.
Primary data from suppliers and secondary data from Ecoinvent Ratios of the different management routes (recycling, incineration and landfill) obtained from Eurostat. Secondary data from Ecoinvent
General Comparison
Corkcoal® vs Synthetic stoppers:
AC: Acidification. (reduction of pH in the environment)
EUM: Marine eutrophication
EUD: Freshwater eutrophication
EUT: Terrestrial eutrophication
RCO: Depletion of the ozone layer
OF: Photochemical oxidation. (Accumulation of substances in the atmosphere, especially in cities)
ARF: Depletion of Fossil Resources. (Diesel, gas, coal, etc.)
ARA: Depletion of abiotic resources. (Metals, minerals, etc.)
EA: Water scarcity
Corkcoal Sintético Corkcoal® Synthetic
General Comparison Climate change:
*The Climate Change impact is negative (beneficial), as Corkcoal®’s natural cork content captures more carbon than it emits.
AC: Acidification. (reduction of pH in the environment)
CC: Climate change
EUM: Marine eutrophication
EUD: Freshwater eutrophication
Corkcoal® LCA Results
EUT: Terrestrial eutrophication
RCO: Depletion of the ozone layer
OF: Photochemical oxidation. (Accumulation of substances in the atmosphere, especially in cities)
ARF: Depletion of Fossil Resources. (Diesel, gas, coal, etc.)
ARA: Depletion of abiotic resources. (Metals, minerals, etc.)
EA: Water scarcity
AC: Acidification. (reduction of pH in the environment)
CC: Climate change
EUM: Marine eutrophication
EUD: Freshwater eutrophication
Synthetic LCA Results
EUT: Terrestrial eutrophication
RCO: Depletion of the ozone layer
OF: Photochemical oxidation. (Accumulation of substances in the atmosphere, especially in cities)
ARF: Depletion of Fossil Resources. (Diesel, gas, coal, etc.)
ARA: Depletion of abiotic resources. (Metals, minerals, etc.)
EA: Water scarcity
Positive results on sustainability.
The analysis reveals that the Corkcoal® stoppers demonstrate a significantly lower impact than the synthetic stoppers across most assessed categories from marine and terrestrial eutrophication, to depletion of the ozone layer; achieving reductions from 35% to 95%.
Results and Conclusions of the Comparative LCA Study:
1.
Lower Environmental Impact. Corkcoal® shows a substantially lower environmental impact in all categories considered. Between a 95% and a 35% less.
2.
Climate-Friendly Impact.
In terms of climate change, Corkcoal®’s impact is negative (meaning environmentally beneficial) due to the carbon-capture capacity of natural cork – as it captures more emission that it emits.
3.
A more sustainable end of life.
The Corkcoal® has a significantly lower environmental impact than the synthetic one, as it is made from natural and organic raw materials, resulting in a less polluting end of life.
Our Production Partners.
Inèdit:
The analysis was conducted by Inèdit, an independent third party renowned for its pioneering work in strategic eco-innovation.
As a leader in industrial ecology, Inèdit specialises in Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and eco -design at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB).
With over 13 years of experience in guiding organisations through circular economy initiatives, their goal is to inspire and empower these organisations. They are committed to helping companies navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that arise from the circular economy and the drive towards decarbonisation.
www.ineditinnova.com
Sustainable Production.
Our production partner Parramon Exportap applies various sustainable practices in the production of its Corkcoal® stoppers:
Material used: Corkcoal stoppers are manufactured using natural cork, with microgranules sourced from production residues of natural cork stoppers. This raw material maintains the natural flexibility properties of cork without the need to add non-natural components.
Production process and by-product reuse: Parramon Exportap reuses all byproducts generated during Corkcoal® production. The remaining cork bark, too hard for stopper production, is used as biomass to supply the facility’s energy needs, thus reducing dependence on fossil fuels and CO₂ emissions.
Waste reduction strategies: the company promotes a zero-waste policy, utilizing all generated by-products. The packaging used is recyclable and made from recycled materials, such as corrugated cardboard boxes (69% recycled and 100% recyclable material), plastic bags with 20% post-industrial recycled material and 30% Recycled and 100% recyclable Film on the pallets.
Carbon footprint impact: Parramon Exportap's production contributes to a negative carbon footprint of -5,220 tons of CO₂ annually, thanks to the use of natural materials and the reduction of emissions associated with the production process.
