Data from: A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Kraft-based and Hemp-based Polylactide (PLA) 3D Printed Part with Fused Filament Fabrication

This study presents a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of hemp straw and kraft lignin as fillers for polylactic acid (PLA) 3D-printed tensile specimens to evaluate their relative environmental impacts. Both materials, as low-cost, renewable bio-based fillers, offer the potential to enhance the elongation properties of PLA, which is otherwise brittle, while reducing the overall environmental footprint of 3D-printed components. The analysis reveals that hemp straw performs slightly better than kraft lignin across most impact categories, making it a more favorable option for eco-conscious prosumers seeking sustainable filament alternatives. This research is motivated by the increasing demand for bio-based materials and the growth of the U.S. industrial hemp industry, alongside the broader trend of using sustainable filaments in additive manufacturing. The environmental impacts of hemp straw PLA and kraft lignin PLA were assessed using several life cycle impact assessment methods, including ReCiPe 2016 Endpoint (H), Cumulative Energy Demand (CED), and IPCC GWP100. The results show that kraft lignin PLA exhibited slightly higher environmental impacts, particularly in the Marine Eutrophication, Land Use, and Water Consumption categories. Pre-processing and filament production were the major process contributors to the overall environmental footprint. Sensitivity analysis confirmed that transportation distances of materials had minimal influence on the results. Overall, hemp straw PLA demonstrated marginally lower environmental impacts, suggesting it may be the more eco-friendly choice for 3D-printed tensile specimens. This study highlights the importance of further research to evaluate the impacts at larger production scales and in different application scenarios. Future work will explore the environmental performance of treated biomass for wider applications, including hemp fiber and hurd, as alternative fillers for 3D-printed components.