Carbon footprint reduction through mobile pelletizing of rice straw in Thailand

Open-field burning of rice straw remains a major environmental issue in Thailand, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study presents a comparative carbon footprint assessment of three rice straw management strategies: open-field burning, centralized biomass pellet production, and on-site pelletizing using a mobile system. The analysis employs a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework under a cradle-to-gate boundary and classifies emissions according to the GHG Protocol (Scopes 1, 2, and 3). Results show that open-field burning yields the highest carbon footprint (228,174.00 kgCO₂e). In contrast, centralized and mobile pelletizing systems reduce GHG emissions by approximately 90.2 % and 94.4 %, respectively. The mobile pelletizing system demonstrates clear advantages in minimizing transport-related emissions and improving logistical efficiency. These findings highlight the potential of mobile pelletizing as a sustainable solution for reducing carbon emissions from agricultural residue management and advancing Thailand’s transition toward a bio-circular-green economy.