Barbara Lavorini

This study investigates the application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a tool to evaluate the environmental performance of innovative methodologies in cultural heritage conservation. Three categories of restoration treatments were analyzed: disinfection of stone surfaces, consolidation of degraded organic materials, and dry cleaning of metal surfaces. For each category, experimental or alternative conservation solutions were compared with conventional commercial or artificial products, focusing exclusively on environmental impacts rather than technical performance. The results highlight significant variability across treatments. In stone disinfection, the biological approach based on Serratia ficaria SH7 shows a substantially lower environmental impact compared to the synthetic biocide Preventol RI50. In contrast, the consolidation scenario reveals a more complex pattern: crystalline nanocellulose demonstrates low impacts when water-based, but its environmental performance worsens considerably when organic solvents are used, in some cases exceeding that of the synthetic resin Plexisol P550. For dry cleaning, all tested eraser formulations exhibit relatively low impacts, although silicone-based systems outperform latex-based alternatives due to reduced material consumption. Beyond comparative results, the study critically examines methodological limitations of LCA in conservation contexts, including data asymmetry between laboratory-scale and industrial processes, sensitivity to modelling assumptions, and restricted system boundaries. The findings demonstrate that environmental performance depends not only on material origin but also on formulation, energy use, and operational conditions. Overall, LCA proves to be a valuable but context-dependent decision-support tool, requiring transparent assumptions and careful interpretation to effectively guide sustainable practices in cultural heritage conservation.

Conservation and restoration interventions must be implemented whenever the preservation of a cultural asset and its transmission to future generations, is deemed at risk. The causes and mechanisms by which cultural heritage undergoes progressive deterioration are numerous and complex, as are the restoration operations devised to address various issues and ensure their preservation. In light of the recent and growing need to identify solutions that are not only effective but also environmentally sustainable, promoting a gradual ecological transition in the field of cultural heritage, there is increasing interest in green materials and methods. Within this context, the ICR, is currently exploring the possibilities of bio-based solutions for consolidation purposes. The joint efforts of restoration and scientific laboratories is especially devoted to experimental campaigns started in order to test innovative environmentally friendly nanomaterials. As a part of these activities, ICR is recently focussing on the investigation of nanocellulose compounds for the consolidation and structural reinforcement of organic supports of cultural heritage, such as textile fibres, canvas, wood and paper. Nanocellulose, capable of obtaining good results without altering their main characteristics and chemical properties of cellulosic substrates, represents an attractive alternative to the use of synthetic polymers.