Carbon Footprint of the Upstream Sugarcane Supply Chain: A Life Cycle Assessment Case Study of Harvesting, Loading, and Hauling Activities
Aunur Rofiq Mulyarto 1*, Novika Edilyas Ramadhina 1, Sri Suhartini 2, Imam Santoso 2, Sucipto 2

1 Laboratory of Computing and Agroindustrial Systems, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Brawijaya, Jl. Veteran Malang 65145, Indonesia
2 Departement of Agroindustrial Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Brawijaya, Jl. Veteran Malang 65145, Indonesia
*Email: aunurrm[at]ub.ac.id

Abstract

The Harvesting, Loading, and Hauling (TMA) process comprises a crucial set of activities within the upstream sugarcane supply chain, with the potential to generate a significant carbon footprint. This study aims to evaluate and identify the primary contributors to the carbon footprint of the TMA process through a case study at the Modjopanggoong Sugar Mill in Indonesia. The analysis was conducted using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach with a cradle-to-gate system boundary, covering three main activities: manual harvesting-loading, open field burning, and transportation. The impact assessment focused on Global Warming Potential (GWP) using OpenLCA software. The results show that the total carbon footprint from these three activities amounts to 5,711,169 kg CO2-eq over a single milling season. Truck transportation was identified as the primary emission hotspot, contributing 60.8% of the total carbon footprint, followed by open field burning (28.5%) and manual harvesting-loading (10.7%). This finding indicates that emission mitigation efforts in the upstream sugarcane supply chain should prioritize route optimization and fuel efficiency for the transportation fleet.

Keywords: Carbon Footprint- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)- Upstream Supply Chain- Sugarcane- Agricultural Logistics

Topic: Agro-industrial system management and regulation