Cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment of polypropylene, polycarbonate, and polyphenylene sulfide dielectric polymers

Polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) are widely used in film capacitors for their excellent dielectric properties. With growing energy storage demands, evaluating their environmental impact is crucial. However, comprehensive life cycle studies remain limited. This study assesses environmental performance of PP, PC, and PPS using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies, including Eco-indicator 99, Ecopoints 97, CML-IA, and Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Data from Ecoinvent database were analyzed using SimaPro software. The functional unit is 10.58 kg of polymer, corresponding to dielectric PP film rolls with dimensions of 500 mm width, 10,000 m length, and 2.3 microns thickness. PC and PPS have the same width and thickness but reduced lengths of 7,667 m and 6,815 m, respectively. Eco-Indicator 99 results show PPS with the highest environmental impact: 1.45E-05 DALY carcinogenic effect and 9.82 PAFm2yr ecotoxicity. PC has moderate effects: 8.85E-07 DALY and 1.48 PAFm2yr, while PP has the lowest: 3.10E-07 DALY and 0.197 PAFm2yr. Fossil fuel consumption by CML-IA shows PPS exceeds PP by 60.61%, PC by 19.05%, and PC exceeds PP by 34.92%. Thus, PPS has the largest environmental footprint, PC ranks second, and PP is the most sustainable. Optimizing material selection can enhance sustainability in capacitor manufacturing.