Eco-innovation of sand cores in aluminium gravity casting for the automotive supply-chain: an LCA-based analysis.

This paper presents a preliminary environmental assessment carried out in the framework of a research project named “HI-REACH” , whose overall purpose is the eco-(re)design of components (and related processes) of the rear traction module of motorcycles. Specifically, the present analysis concerns solutions aimed at improving technical, economic and environmental performances of sand cores, auxiliary process components in the metal casting industry, used during the melting process to create cavities in the molten metal. Sand cores are usually made of virgin silica sand, bound with organic phenol resins and may be environmentally critical for the depletion of non-renewable natural resources (sand) and the use of organic binders, which determine the release of noxious airborne emissions during the casting process. Other issues are related to the disposal of spent sands, as well as the flue gas scrubbing.