Evaluating environmental impacts of pork production: A life cycle assessment of seven case studies in Germany

This study presents a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) of pork production in Germany, focusing on pig farming, slaughtering, and processing. The objective is to identify key stages in the production process that contribute most to environmental burdens and explore strategies for mitigation. Seven case studies are analysed, with primary data collected, and evaluated using the functional unit of 1 kg of product. The case studies include four pig farms: one breeding and rearing farm (BRE), one rearing and fattening farm (FAT), and two integrated farms (PIG 1, PIG 2). These farms cover feed production, manure management, and energy generation via biogas, where applicable. One slaughterhouse (SLA) and two processing facilities (PRO 1, PRO 2) complete the analysis. Environmental impacts are evaluated in three categories: global warming, acidification, and eutrophication. Compared to existing studies, global warming impacts are lower, while acidification and eutrophication impacts vary, with PIG 2 showing higher levels. The impacts of SLA are comparable or lower than those in the literature. Across all farming stages, feed production is the dominant contributor to environmental impacts, while energy consumption and waste treatment are key factors in slaughtering and processing. Sensitivity analyses examine variations in feed and energy inputs, and scenario analyses explore alternative feed composition, biogas use, and renewable energy integration. Results suggest biogas production reduces global warming and eutrophication impacts but increases acidification. Introducing economic allocation for feed by-products slightly raises overall burdens, and transitioning energy supply to renewable sources at the slaughterhouse improves environmental performance. • LCA of pig farming identifies feed production as the environmental hotspot. • Slaughter and processing stages are dominated by energy consumption and waste treatment. • Environmental impacts per kg product are higher in farming than in later value chain stages. • Converting manure to biogas improves impacts but increases acidification potential. • Scenario analysis shows renewable energy use can significantly improve environmental impact.