Developing LCA methods for assessing the environmental benefits of biobased products, raw materials and side streams

Currently, there is a lack of methods and tools available for companies to quantify and demonstrate their improvements in environmental sustainability and to assess the impacts of potential new raw materials, especially in relation to bioeconomy concepts. This project will contribute to this need by developing methods and tools for designing and evaluating the sustainability of new bioeconomy concepts (e.g. biofuels and biorefinery products). This includes the development of life cycle assessment methodology for estimating environmental impacts that can be used for the production of bioenergy and biomaterials. The LCA method development will focus on improving the method for i) carbon stock changes in soils and vegetation, ii) handling coproduct allocation, iii) accounting for indirect land use changes and iv) estimation of biodiversity impacts. In addition, the project will contribute to the development of improved emission factors for bioenergy and other biomaterial products and systems. The project will be carried out in close collaboration with participating companies by utilizing the data provided by the companies in case studies, where the methodologies developed in the project will be applied, tested and demonstrated.