LIFE-CYCLE INVENTORY OF DIMENSION STONES, BRAZIL Mônica Castoldi Borlini Gadioli 1, a , Nuria Fernández Castro 2,b , Abiliane Andrade Pazeto 3,c , Carlos Eduardo Ribeiro Wandermurem 4,d , Phillipe Fernandes de Almeida 5,e , Daniel Pimentel Tavares 6,f 1,2,3,4, 5,6 Núcleo Regional de Cachoeiro de Itapemirim – Centro de Tecnologia Mineral – CETEM/MCTI, Rodovia Cachoeiro – Alegre, km 5, Morro Grande, 29300-970 Cachoeiro de Itapemirim – ES, Brazil a mborlini@cetem.gov.br, b ncastro@cetem.gov.br, c apazeto@gmail.com, d carloserw@gmail.com, e phillipe.prudente@gmail.com, f dtavares@cetem.gov.br Keywords: Life-Cycle Inventory, Dimension Stones, environment Abstract: This paper intends to present the activities developed and difficulties found along the Life-Cycle Inventory of Dimension Stones - LCI Stones project, mainly concerning to field-data collection. The inventory aims to feed the Brazilian LCI data base, with chemical, physical and energy data; materials and energy inputs and outputs along the whole stones productive chain, from the quarries to the finished material. The project scope has been defined according to the Brazilian standard NBR 14040. The study consists in two product systems: quarrying and processing (which is divided in two others systems: sawing and polishing), being the last one the main object of study. The product considered is the polished slab. The data are being collected within companies, comprising a representative time period for the inventory validation. All inputs and outputs of mass and energy as well as generated waste, within study boundaries, are being identified and quantified. The main difficulty found in the data collection it is the lack of data control in the companies, mainly the water and energy consumption and polishing inputs. Even though during this initial phase of data collection, the problems found allow making some suggestions to improve processes control, as it was expected. Introduction Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA), a technique to assess environmental aspects and potential impacts inherent to the life-cycle of a product or service, constitutes a promising tool for our quest for consumption and production sustainable practices. It allows suggesting environmental improvements and choosing raw materials and production processes with less environmental impact, as it makes a detailed analysis of the whole life-cycle, i.e. from raw material extraction (cradle) to its final disposal (grave). Besides identifying the environmental aspects to be improved throughout the life-cycle, LCA is a technique which also subsidizes the product marketing and decision-making in the industry, aiming, i.e, strategic planning, priorities setting and design or redesign of products or processes [1]. Nowadays, LCA is an important step to achieve LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), internationally recognized, and developed by Green Building Council of the United States. Brazil, as well as over twenty countries has its own Green Building Council established and is implementing LEED. The project entitled “Technology, Energy and Environmental Improvements of Dimension Stones Production Through Product Life-Cycle Assessment, LCI – Stones” aims to conduct a pilot study of Life-Cycle Inventory (LCI) of Dimension Stones and adapting the data survey methodology for the specific case of the stones supply chain, according to the technological representativeness and peculiarities of this industry in Brazil. The Life-Cycle Inventory of Dimension Stones - LCI Stones is one of the preliminary studies being carried out to validate the LCI methodology developed in Brazil. It follows the LCA