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Addressing environmental sustainability of biochemicals

Author

Listed:
  • Ólafur Ögmundarson

    (Technical University of Denmark
    Technical University of Denmark
    University of Iceland)

  • Markus J. Herrgård

    (Technical University of Denmark)

  • Jochen Forster

    (Technical University of Denmark
    Carlsberg A/S)

  • Michael Z. Hauschild

    (Technical University of Denmark)

  • Peter Fantke

    (Technical University of Denmark)

Abstract

Producing biochemicals from renewable resources is a key driver for moving towards sustainable societies. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a standardized tool to measure related progress by quantifying environmental sustainability performance of chemical products along their life cycles. We analysed LCA studies applied to commercialized commodity biochemicals produced through microbial fermentation. The few available studies show inconsistencies in coverage of environmental impacts and life cycle stages, with varying conclusions. Claims of better sustainability performance of biochemicals over fossil-based chemicals are often based on comparing global warming impacts, while ignoring other impacts from bio-feedstock production. To boost sustainable biochemicals, we recommend that LCA practitioners include the broader range of impact indicators and entire life cycles, follow standards and guidance, and address missing data. The biochemical industry should systematically use LCA to direct research, identify impact hotspots, and develop methods to estimate full-scale process performance. This will promote biotechnology as important contributor to solving existing sustainability challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Ólafur Ögmundarson & Markus J. Herrgård & Jochen Forster & Michael Z. Hauschild & Peter Fantke, 2020. "Addressing environmental sustainability of biochemicals," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 3(3), pages 167-174, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:3:y:2020:i:3:d:10.1038_s41893-019-0442-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-019-0442-8
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    Cited by:

    1. Vanesa G. Lo-Iacono-Ferreira & Rosario Viñoles-Cebolla & María José Bastante-Ceca & Salvador F. Capuz-Rizo, 2021. "Carbon Footprint Comparative Analysis of Cardboard and Plastic Containers Used for the International Transport of Spanish Tomatoes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-28, February.
    2. Gianluca Biggi, 2023. "Risk, Precaution, and Regulation in Chemical Search and Innovation: The Case of the EU REACH Legislation," LEM Papers Series 2023/06, Laboratory of Economics and Management (LEM), Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy.
    3. Huang, Yingying & Chen, Xuechu & Liu, Silu & Lu, Jinzhong & Shen, Yingshi & Li, Lei & Peng, Lin & Hong, Jingjie & Zhang, Qiuzhuo & Ostrovsky, Ilia, 2021. "Converting of nuisance cyanobacterial biomass to feedstock for bioethanol production by regulation of intracellular carbon flow: Killing two birds with one stone," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    4. Emma A. R. Zuiderveen & Koen J. J. Kuipers & Carla Caldeira & Steef V. Hanssen & Mitchell K. Hulst & Melinda M. J. Jonge & Anestis Vlysidis & Rosalie Zelm & Serenella Sala & Mark A. J. Huijbregts, 2023. "The potential of emerging bio-based products to reduce environmental impacts," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-7, December.
    5. Sae Eun Lee & Kyu-Hye Lee, 2024. "Environmentally sustainable fashion and conspicuous behavior," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
    6. Steffi Weyand & Kotaro Kawajiri & Claudiu Mortan & Liselotte Schebek, 2023. "Scheme for generating upscaling scenarios of emerging functional materials based energy technologies in prospective LCA (UpFunMatLCA)," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(3), pages 676-692, June.
    7. Giovanna Croxatto Vega & Juliën Voogt & Joshua Sohn & Morten Birkved & Stig Irving Olsen, 2020. "Assessing New Biotechnologies by Combining TEA and TM-LCA for an Efficient Use of Biomass Resources," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-35, May.

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