Integrating life cycle and techno-economic assessment for bio-based lactic acid production from industrial residues
Bibliographic Data
Evaluating the economic viability and environmental impact of emerging technologies is crucial for the transition to a bio-based economy. This study proposes a methodology to assess the environmental and economic performance of bio-based lactic acid (LA) production by scaling up from pilot to industrial levels using fiber sludge, a residue from the pulp and paper industry, as a feedstock. Process design, Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) were conducted at pilot scale to identify key environmental and economic hotspots. External costs were estimated following the environmental Life Cycle Costing (eLCC) approach using the Environmental Prices (EP) method. At the pilot scale, the LCA indicated a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 3.87 kg CO2-eq, which aligns with the values reported in previous studies. Scaling up to different plant capacities revealed the potential economies of scale. At a production rate of 50 kt per year, the Minimum Selling Price (MSP) was estimated at 1.71€/kg, which is comparable to that of other bio-based LA production routes. Assuming proportional environmental impacts from pilot to industrial scale, external costs were integrated into the MSP, resulting in adjusted values of 2.04€/kg (lower value), 2.21€/kg (central value), and 2.46 €/kg (upper value). Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses using Monte Carlo simulations indicated an 87.5 % probability of achieving a positive Net Present Value (NPV). This study highlights the need for standardised methodologies to evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of emerging bio-based technologies, particularly when accounting for external costs. • Environmental and economic results are integrated into one financial indicator. • An integrative approach is developed and applied for lactic acid produced from fiber sludge. • External costs increase minimum selling price from 1.71 €/kg to 2.46 €/kg. • Externalities and discount rate are identified as key price drivers. • The framework is proposed to guide sustainable bio-based process design
Activity-based costing · Economic evaluation · Economic impact analysis · Environmental impact assessment · Industrial production · Life-cycle assessment · Net present value · Production (economics · Agriculture Sustainability and Environmental Impact · Bioeconomy and Sustainability Development · Biofuel production and bioconversion
ReCiPe2016
The ecoinvent database version 3 (part I)
The impacts of plastics’ life cycle
Anticipating uncertainty in infrastructure LCC, LCA, and S-LCA
Research trends and hotspots in bioeconomy impact analysis
Evaluating sawdust-based bioethanol and pyrolysis products in the European Union
Life cycle sustainability assessment
How to select the best approach for circular economy assessment? 3D positioning framework, decision support tool and critical analysis for bio-based systems
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |