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- Title
Identifying uncertainty in the global warming impacts of biomaterials: an analysis of biosuccinic acid.
- Authors
Dunlap, Josh; Schramski, John R.; Li, Gengyang; Li, Ke
- Abstract
Purpose: Life cycle assessments of biosuccinic acid (bioSA) report a range of emissions compared to their fossil-based counterparts. Such uncertainty results from multiple factors including different processing options and modeling choices, making it difficult to interpret results and ensure emission reductions. Identifying uncertainty is thus crucial to ensuring the environmental benefits of biomaterials and is a crucial step toward a future bioeconomy. Methods: Comparing 15 life cycle assessments of bioSA production, factors such as feedstocks, downstream processing technologies, study scopes, coproduct handling, coproduct types, and study locations were assessed to identify the impact of different modeling choices and processing options on the global warming impacts of bioSA. Emissions were referenced to a fossil-derived equivalent product and selected case studies were developed for a more in-depth analysis of the impact of individual factors, such as enzymes, coproducts, and grid location on overall emissions. Results: Global warming impacts varied across differing processing and modeling factors. BioSA from sugar cane and energy crops consistently showed emission reductions while from corn starch, corn stover, and food waste, bioSA displayed impacts above and below fossil-based production depending on processing and modeling options. Uncertainty in individual factors such as enzyme production was significant, potentially resulting in impacts exceeding conventional fossil-based production. However, coproduct inclusion and handling methods were necessary for several feedstocks to ensure emissions remained lower than the fossil-based route. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of identifying and quantifying uncertainties in the global warming impacts of biobased products. Doing so serves not only to ensure emission reduction benefits, but also strengthens trust in LCA studies and encourages more accurate and trustworthy results for policy makers, industrial partners, and LCA practitioners.
- Subjects
GLOBAL warming; ENERGY crops; ACID analysis; CORN stover; PRODUCT life cycle assessment; SUGARCANE; CORNSTARCH
- Publication
International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2024, Vol 29, Issue 6, p1137
- ISSN
0948-3349
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s11367-024-02290-1