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Olive Oil Production Chain

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Multicriteria Analysis and LCA Techniques

Abstract

In this chapter, Multicriteria Analysis (MCA) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies are applied to investigate a number of aspects of the extra-virgin olive oil production chain. The analysis starts from the definition of a number of possible scenarios concerning all phases of the chain: olive grove characteristics, management and productivity; olive harvesting and transport to the extraction plant (logistics); extraction plant configuration and management. Scenarios are arranged in order to define different configurations of the whole chain. The MCA methodology is then applied to select the most suitable scenario arrangements, according to a number of requirements which are set in advance: main goals to be accomplished, main benefits and drawbacks, a number of evaluation criteria for scenario selection, outcomes and/or scores associated with each scenario for each evaluation criterion. Chain configurations which achieve higher scores are subsequently considered for further evaluation by means of LCA, exploiting the GEMIS software. Results in terms of CO2eq emissions and CER associated with each chain are eventually reported and discussed.

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Correspondence to Lucia Recchia .

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© 2011 Springer-Verlag London Limited

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Recchia, L., Boncinelli, P., Cini, E., Vieri, M., Pegna, F.G., Sarri, D. (2011). Olive Oil Production Chain. In: Multicriteria Analysis and LCA Techniques. Green Energy and Technology. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-704-4_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-704-4_5

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-85729-703-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-85729-704-4

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