Life Cycle Assessment of Canned Sweet Corn in Chiang Mai

Thailand is one of the world’s largest exporters of agricultural products, with several agricultural crops that play a vital role in the global economy. One of the country’s most renowned agricultural crops is sweet corn. Normally, sweet corn is brought to be processed into canned sweet corn, considered as a successful export product that generates massive profits for the country while meeting the demand of the global market. Sweet corn is an easily grown crop that offers high productivity and can be cultivated throughout the year. Therefore, the processing of sweet corn can add value to the newly processed product ready for the market expansion and export. In 2013, Thailand was ranked first for the exporter of canned sweet corn, with a total cultivation area of 247,138 rai generating a yield of 365,061 tons. Sweet corn is famously planted in the northern part of Thailand due to its appropriate weather condition. Chiang Mai is considered as the largest cultivation hub in the north, possessing more than 32 percent of market share of the total cultivation area in the region. In addition, there are several important production plants of canned sweet corn for exportation located in different areas in the country. This research aims to study the life cycle of canned sweet corn in Chiang Mai via the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for 3 production plants in the province, with more than 80 percent of export market share. The objective is also to assess the environmental impact of the product, which can be divided into 2 categories, including Carbon Footprint and Water Footprint. The assessment methods are designed to serve as guidelines for environmental sustainability and hinder the shortage of natural resources that may occur in the near future as well as eliminate redundant costs, processes and resources while enhancing competitiveness in the global market. According to the study, 1 can of 12- ounce canned sweet corn with net weight of 340 grams causes 399.51 grams of the carbon footprint (G CO2-eq.)and 274.48 liters of the water footprint (L H2O-eq.). The acquisition of raw materials with the carbon footprint and the water footprint is estimated at 70.77 percent and 97.96 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, the production process of both categories is equal to 29.23 percent and 2.04 percent, respectively.