XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 1019
with the EPD framework and the numbers of EPDs is
growing rapidly. For the aggregate industry the emission
per ton is relatively low. However, the sheer volume needed
for our infrastructure makes it significant to address.
There are some software solutions available on the mar-
ket for different segments that aim to support aggregate
producers and minerals processing companies in quanti-
fying their performance or environmental impacts. These
are systems such as different process simulators (Aggflow,
Bruno), LCA software (Life Cycle Assessment Software,
OpenLCA) and EPD generators (One-Click LCA). Most
provide generic solutions, each with its own set of advan-
tages and limitations. Often requiring users to be environ-
mental specialists to work with these impact assessment
tools because they need to be adapted to industry-specific
directives and standards. HSC Sim is one of the excep-
tions, where process results can be linked to Gabi (Abadías
Llamas et al., 2029). For the development of an integrated
digital system is vital to focus on modularity and commu-
nication functionality. Systems need to be able to connect
to external solutions to increase usability in a larger context.
In Asbjörnsson et al. (2024) the modularity of three differ-
ent platforms was described, and how the environmental
module was integrated into a more extensive digital system.
Systems aim both at aggregates and minerals processing.
Plantsmith is one of these platforms. It is a web-based
process simulation and environmental platform developed
by Chalmers University of Technology and Roctim AB in
collaboration with the Swedish Environmental Institute
(IVL). The base platform is openly available at roctimsim.
com with a simple registration, allowing the user to start
exploring the platform and simulating their own aggregate
production. Additional functionalities are enabled with
different subscription levels. Allowing for customisation of
the platform based on user needs and preferences. With a
registered company profile, users are able to set company-
specific equipment models with either open access or lim-
ited access for users outside of their company profile.
The purpose of this work is to demonstrate the capabil-
ity of an industry-specific online simulation and environ-
mental platform, giving insight into the process of creating
an EPD, the improved workflow, and the interpretation
and feedback of the results from the industry.
METHODS
The Plantsmith platform is a multidisciplinary research
tool. The main focus is to integrate process simulation capa-
bilities with environmental impact estimation for course
comminution. These can be either quarries or mines. The
driving factor within aggregate production has been the
introduction of the EPD framework. At the current stage,
the EPDs are voluntary. However, multiple aggregate pro-
ducers have identified the commercial advantage of gen-
erating EPDs for their products. Also, by having either a
certified process or tool can significantly reduce the required
work hours to complete an EPD and LCA documentation.
For the development of the platform with the purpose of
integrating process simulation and environmental impacts,
there are specific modules that are essential.
Life Cycle Assessment
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an environmental impact
assessment approach that focuses on the flows into and
out of a system to estimate the environmental impact of
a product or service. The flows are collected in the Life
Cycle Inventory. These can then be translated into poten-
tial impacts on the environment in a variety of areas of
environmental concern known as impact categories. The
LCI is often converted into estimated impacts in the dif-
ferent impact categories by applying Life Cycle Impact
Assessment models to the LCI while the results are normal-
ized to a functional unit to represent the product or service
in mind. A declared unit of impact per tonne is often used
for aggregate products due to the diverse functions that
aggregates can fulfil. An important part of an LCA is set-
ting and describing system boundaries. The decided system
boundaries impact what data needs to be collected and the
assumptions that are made to conduct the study. They are,
therefore, highly important in interpreting and communi-
cating any results from an LCA study.
Product Category Rules
Considering the many decisions that go into deciding the
system boundary, collecting the appropriate data, calculat-
ing the estimated impacts for different impact categories,
and communicating any results, it can often occur that LCA
studies for the same product will result in different results
(Takano et al., 2014). To help overcome these issues and
improve the comparability of studies, Product Category
Rules (PCR) can be developed by experts or relevant actors
which prescribes how different methodological decisions
should be addressed in reference to a group of products
aiming at public communication of the LCA results. Even
more detailed guidelines can be provided in a sub-PCR for
a specific product within the category for further explana-
tions related to the product system. For aggregate products,
a PCR for construction products is followed. In Europe,
this is often the European Standard EN 15804. Which PCR
should be followed is outlined by a programme operator
who will publish the final EPD document communicating
with the EPD framework and the numbers of EPDs is
growing rapidly. For the aggregate industry the emission
per ton is relatively low. However, the sheer volume needed
for our infrastructure makes it significant to address.
There are some software solutions available on the mar-
ket for different segments that aim to support aggregate
producers and minerals processing companies in quanti-
fying their performance or environmental impacts. These
are systems such as different process simulators (Aggflow,
Bruno), LCA software (Life Cycle Assessment Software,
OpenLCA) and EPD generators (One-Click LCA). Most
provide generic solutions, each with its own set of advan-
tages and limitations. Often requiring users to be environ-
mental specialists to work with these impact assessment
tools because they need to be adapted to industry-specific
directives and standards. HSC Sim is one of the excep-
tions, where process results can be linked to Gabi (Abadías
Llamas et al., 2029). For the development of an integrated
digital system is vital to focus on modularity and commu-
nication functionality. Systems need to be able to connect
to external solutions to increase usability in a larger context.
In Asbjörnsson et al. (2024) the modularity of three differ-
ent platforms was described, and how the environmental
module was integrated into a more extensive digital system.
Systems aim both at aggregates and minerals processing.
Plantsmith is one of these platforms. It is a web-based
process simulation and environmental platform developed
by Chalmers University of Technology and Roctim AB in
collaboration with the Swedish Environmental Institute
(IVL). The base platform is openly available at roctimsim.
com with a simple registration, allowing the user to start
exploring the platform and simulating their own aggregate
production. Additional functionalities are enabled with
different subscription levels. Allowing for customisation of
the platform based on user needs and preferences. With a
registered company profile, users are able to set company-
specific equipment models with either open access or lim-
ited access for users outside of their company profile.
The purpose of this work is to demonstrate the capabil-
ity of an industry-specific online simulation and environ-
mental platform, giving insight into the process of creating
an EPD, the improved workflow, and the interpretation
and feedback of the results from the industry.
METHODS
The Plantsmith platform is a multidisciplinary research
tool. The main focus is to integrate process simulation capa-
bilities with environmental impact estimation for course
comminution. These can be either quarries or mines. The
driving factor within aggregate production has been the
introduction of the EPD framework. At the current stage,
the EPDs are voluntary. However, multiple aggregate pro-
ducers have identified the commercial advantage of gen-
erating EPDs for their products. Also, by having either a
certified process or tool can significantly reduce the required
work hours to complete an EPD and LCA documentation.
For the development of the platform with the purpose of
integrating process simulation and environmental impacts,
there are specific modules that are essential.
Life Cycle Assessment
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an environmental impact
assessment approach that focuses on the flows into and
out of a system to estimate the environmental impact of
a product or service. The flows are collected in the Life
Cycle Inventory. These can then be translated into poten-
tial impacts on the environment in a variety of areas of
environmental concern known as impact categories. The
LCI is often converted into estimated impacts in the dif-
ferent impact categories by applying Life Cycle Impact
Assessment models to the LCI while the results are normal-
ized to a functional unit to represent the product or service
in mind. A declared unit of impact per tonne is often used
for aggregate products due to the diverse functions that
aggregates can fulfil. An important part of an LCA is set-
ting and describing system boundaries. The decided system
boundaries impact what data needs to be collected and the
assumptions that are made to conduct the study. They are,
therefore, highly important in interpreting and communi-
cating any results from an LCA study.
Product Category Rules
Considering the many decisions that go into deciding the
system boundary, collecting the appropriate data, calculat-
ing the estimated impacts for different impact categories,
and communicating any results, it can often occur that LCA
studies for the same product will result in different results
(Takano et al., 2014). To help overcome these issues and
improve the comparability of studies, Product Category
Rules (PCR) can be developed by experts or relevant actors
which prescribes how different methodological decisions
should be addressed in reference to a group of products
aiming at public communication of the LCA results. Even
more detailed guidelines can be provided in a sub-PCR for
a specific product within the category for further explana-
tions related to the product system. For aggregate products,
a PCR for construction products is followed. In Europe,
this is often the European Standard EN 15804. Which PCR
should be followed is outlined by a programme operator
who will publish the final EPD document communicating