LCA of soybean supply chain produced in state of Pará, located on Brazilian amazon biome

Recently, Brazil turned the biggest soybean producer and exporter of the world. The state of Pará, located in the Brazilian amazon biome, was turned one of last agricultural frontier of the country, which increased positively the soybean cultivation along it is territory. However, it is necessary to know the associated environmental impacts along the supply chain. Thus, we are applying the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology using openLCA software in two producing regions: northeast pole (Paragominas) and south pole (Redenção). Based on the cradle to grave scope, the Recipe Midpoint (H) and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) method of environmental impacts categories were used. To calculate the land use change (LUC), we used the BRLUC regionalized model (v1.3). The obtained results showed that LUC were the main responsible for the global warming potential (GWP) along all soybean supply chain, especially when the land occupied with tropical forest was changed for soybean growth. Despite the largest distance between origin and destiny (road + railway = 1306 km), the soybean produced in south pole (Redenção) is better shipped through the TEGRAM port of São Luis – Maranhão due to the use of multimodal platforms (lorry + train), allowing a more efficient logistical performance (greater loads of grains transported and less environmental impacts). The soybean produced in northeast pole (Paragominas) is better shipped through the ports around Barcarena – Pará due to the shortest distance by road (average 350 km) and hence less environment impacts.