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Life Cycle Assessment Applied to Milk Production and Processing: An Integrative Systematic Literature Review

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  • Lidilia Cruz-Rivero

    (División de Posgrado e Investigación, Tecnológico Nacional de México/Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Tantoyuca, Desv. Lindero Tametate S/N La Morita, Tantoyuca 92100, Veracruz, Mexico)

  • Erika Andrea Hernández

    (División de Posgrado e Investigación, Tecnológico Nacional de México/Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Tantoyuca, Desv. Lindero Tametate S/N La Morita, Tantoyuca 92100, Veracruz, Mexico)

  • Ernesto Lince-Olguín

    (División de Ingeniería en Gestión Empresarial, Tecnológico Nacional de México/Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Tantoyuca, Desv. Lindero Tametate S/N La Morita, Tantoyuca 92100, Veracruz, Mexico)

  • Carlos Eusebio Mar-Orozco

    (Departamento de Ingeniería Industrial, Tecnológico Nacional de México/Instituto Tecnológico de Ciudad Madero, Av. Primero de Mayo 1610, Los Mangos, Ciudad Madero 89460, Tamaulipas, Mexico)

  • Susana Astrid López-García

    (División de Ciencias Básicas, Tecnológico Nacional de México/Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Naranjos, C. Priv. Guanajuato S/N, Manuel Avila Camacho, Naranjos 92370, Veracruz, Mexico)

  • Perla Yetlanezi Cruz-Martínez

    (Departamento de Ingeniería Industrial, Tecnológico Nacional de México/Instituto Tecnológico de Ciudad Madero, Av. Primero de Mayo 1610, Los Mangos, Ciudad Madero 89460, Tamaulipas, Mexico)

Abstract

This study summarizes advancements in life cycle assessment (LCA) that enhance our understanding of environmental sustainability in milk production and processing. A systematic review of 84 papers published between 2018 and 2024 was conducted to highlight the topics and the main methodological elements that can aid in prioritizing interventions from an environmental standpoint. The findings indicate that the most discussed topics include farming management strategies, mitigation approaches, and livestock management. Limited attention was given to the circular economy, energy efficiency, milk production and consumption, and feed management. In the goal and scope phase, only 36 studies followed a standard LCA methodology, while 53 took a comparative approach and 32 a descriptive one. In the inventory analysis phase, 23% relied solely on modeled data, 72% on experimental data, and 56 studies used IPCC guidelines for emission factors. For impact assessment, the main categories addressed were global warming potential, eutrophication potential, and acidification potential, with ReCiPe being the most commonly used method. Importantly, more than half of the studies did not conduct uncertainty or sensitivity analyses; only 27% performed sensitivity analyses and 12% performed uncertainty analyses. The review offers insights for advocates of LCA and suggests future research directions.

Suggested Citation

  • Lidilia Cruz-Rivero & Erika Andrea Hernández & Ernesto Lince-Olguín & Carlos Eusebio Mar-Orozco & Susana Astrid López-García & Perla Yetlanezi Cruz-Martínez, 2025. "Life Cycle Assessment Applied to Milk Production and Processing: An Integrative Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-35, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:4:p:1615-:d:1592011
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Giuseppe Todde & Lelia Murgia & Maria Caria & Antonio Pazzona, 2018. "A Comprehensive Energy Analysis and Related Carbon Footprint of Dairy Farms, Part 1: Direct Energy Requirements," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-14, February.
    2. Usack, J.G. & Gerber Van Doren, L. & Posmanik, R. & Labatut, R.A. & Tester, J.W. & Angenent, L.T., 2018. "An evaluation of anaerobic co-digestion implementation on New York State dairy farms using an environmental and economic life-cycle framework," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 28-40.
    3. Vilma Naujokienė & Rolandas Bleizgys & Kęstutis Venslauskas & Simona Paulikienė, 2022. "Climate-Smart Holistic Management System Criteria’s Effectiveness on Milk Production in Lithuania," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-18, June.
    4. Giuseppe Todde & Lelia Murgia & Maria Caria & Antonio Pazzona, 2018. "A Comprehensive Energy Analysis and Related Carbon Footprint of Dairy Farms, Part 2: Investigation and Modeling of Indirect Energy Requirements," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-13, February.
    5. Kim, Daesoo & Stoddart, Nick & Rotz, C. Alan & Veltman, Karin & Chase, Larry & Cooper, Joyce & Ingraham, Pete & Izaurralde, R. César & Jones, Curtis D. & Gaillard, Richard & Aguirre-Villegas, Horacio , 2019. "Analysis of beneficial management practices to mitigate environmental impacts in dairy production systems around the Great Lakes," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
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