Abstract
This paper is dedicated to the identification of key “un-conventional” indicators that demonstrate the sustainability and circular characteristics of promising bio-based products, complementing conventional life cycle analysis. Adoption of bio-based products has been identified as the one of the pathways to reach a sustainable economy. Some of the many advantages conceived from adopting bio-based value chains include development of waste-management infrastructure, job creation, SME’s and other environmental opportunities, contributing directly to seven out of 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. The benefits of such systems approach can be realised only via quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the embedded environmental, techno-economic and societal impacts, all of which are a function of a product’s variables like feedstock type, technology-route, product’s functionality and application [1]. Life cycle assessment, a robust impact-led sustainability analysis tool that enables one envisage these impacts via use of holistic indicator also has insufficiencies, mainly the limitations in addressing the circular product characteristics. The proposed indicators will emphasise on resource efficiency and material circularity of bio-based value chain. This work is a part of the EU-H2020 funded project, Sustainable Transition Assessment and Research of Bio-based products, the ultimate aim of which is to expand existing tools and methodologies for sustainability certification of bio-based products and for their speedy commercial uptake.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Unpublished - 15 May 2018 |
| Event | SETAC Europe 28th Annual Meeting - Rome Convention Centre La Nuvola, Rome, Italy Duration: 13 May 2018 → 17 May 2018 https://rome.setac.org/ |
Conference
| Conference | SETAC Europe 28th Annual Meeting |
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| Country/Territory | Italy |
| City | Rome |
| Period | 13/05/18 → 17/05/18 |
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