Abstract
Purpose This study aims to provide a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) of primary gallium production on an industrial scale, addressing sustainability concerns due to its intensive chemical and energy consumption. The research question focuses on identifying the environmental impacts across each production process and suggesting mitigation strategies. Methods Data from a gallium production plant in China was utilized to quantify environmental impacts. The LCA followed the standard four-phase process, including goal and scope definition, inventory analysis, life cycle impact assessment (LCIA), and result interpretation. The ReCiPe 2016 (Midpoint) method was applied for LCIA, and the study considered 14 energy scenarios to assess the carbon footprint under different energy sources. Results and discussion Key findings indicate that sodium hydroxide and electricity usage are major contributors to environmental burdens such as global warming potential and human toxicity. Data quality analysis highlights the necessity of using high-quality, industrial-scale data in accurate assessment of gallium environmental impacts. In addition, comparison analysis between primary and secondary gallium production shows the challenges of intensive energy and chemical usage during gallium recycling. The study suggests that optimizing production processes and transitioning to cleaner energy sources can effectively mitigate environmental footprints while meeting the growing demand for gallium. Conclusions The study offers a detailed process inventory for primary gallium production, identifying key emission hotspots and providing insights into potential mitigation strategies. It concludes that significant environmental benefits can be achieved through process optimization and the adoption of renewable energy sources, aligning with global sustainability goals.