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Orientador(es)
Resumo(s)
Cheese production is an ancient practice that is associated with the food and cultural identity of different peoples. There are over 500 cheese types globally, including 207 with protected denomination of origin (PDO) and 70 with protected geographical indication (PGI) status in the European Union (EU). Each cheese has various biochemical compositions, production methods, and maturation environments. This study has provided a critical review of the environmental impacts of cheese production, focusing on energy consumption, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the integration of renewable energy sources as sustainable strategies for this sector. Based on case studies and life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies, the analysis revealed significant variability in energy use (3.0 to 70.2 MJ/kg) and GHG emissions (up to 22.13 kg CO2 eq/kg), influenced by factors such as the cheese type, production complexity, system boundaries, and the technological or geographical context. Particular attention was given to heat treatment, refrigeration, and maturation processes, which contribute substantially to the overall energy footprint. The paper also discusses the methodological challenges in LCA studies, including the role of co-product allocation and database limitations. Finally, strategic renewable energy options, such as biogas recovery and solar thermal integration, are discussed as sustainable alternatives to reduce the environmental footprint of the dairy sector and support its sustainability.
Descrição
The present work was co-financed by the EU Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), under the project “CASEUS Combined use of renewable energy sources to improve energy efficiency in cheese industry” (RRP-C05-i03-I-000249).
Copyright: © 2025 by the authors.
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Palavras-chave
cheese ripening ecological footprints life cycle assessment renewable energy General Materials Science Instrumentation General Engineering Process Chemistry and Technology Computer Science Applications Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production