This study explores potential environmental impacts related to the use of biological resources to provide evidence of how bioeconomy innovations could support the reduction of the environmental footprint of the EU consumption, by substituting conventional (mainly fossil) materials, energy and products.
The analysis was based on life cycle assessment and applied both at the material (e.g., plastic packaging or fuel) and at the product (e.g., packaged product or vehicle) level. This allowed to shed light on potential benefits and trade-offs when considering specific materials and feedstock, as well as on the leverage of consumers choices when consuming end products.
In general, at the level of materials (e.g. plastic packaging or fuel), bioeconomy innovations show better performance in climate change and fossil resource use impacts, because they are not made of fossil feedstocks, although it should be noted that the production process still often includes fossil energy resources. On the contrary, some other impacts, such as land use and eutrophication, are higher. Biogenic carbon accounting was tested following the latest methodological developments. It should be noted that generalizations are however hindered by variability both in scope and modelling assumptions of available studies. Also, available literature is often based on small- or laboratory scale data causing uncertainty for the results related to the maturity of the technology. The bio-based sectors are indeed characterised by continuous and dynamic innovations, while this assessment relies on a comprehensive review of available literature, which might not always represent the state-of-the art. Functional properties of bio-based products, upscaling challenges, and End of Life fate also need to be assessed.
Illustrative cases were then analysed at the product level (e.g., by considering the whole packaged product, or vehicle) for bio-based vs. conventional plastic packaging, biofuels, building materials, and plant vs animal-based proteins. Since the conventional material accounts only for part of the total product life cycle impacts are expected to be lower. Further, in case of biofuels, only part was assumed to be replaced considering possible substitution shares, because biofuels are always blended with fossil fuels. A considerable exception are plant-based proteins which can decrease the majority of the environmental impact of the animal-based alternative. Finally, potential to decrease environmental impacts at EU consumption level by replacing selected materials and products (conventional plastic packaging, biofuels, building materials) was assessed, applying specific replacement rates. Climate change and fossil resource use benefits would occur in all assessed cases being biggest, compared to the impact due to consumption of specific material, when adding biofuel share in the diesel bus and petrol passenger car fuel mix, as well as when replacing part of the flexible LDPE packaging film with starch-based packaging film. For the other impact categories, trade-offs, such as for land use and eutrophication, would need to be considered. However, these impact categories dependent on local conditions and need to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Bio-based sectors emerge as continuous and dynamic innovation, leading to a time-lag in data availability. Faster access to information of bioeconomy innovation would be essential to allow adequate assessment of environmental benefits.
SINKKO Taija;
CASONATO Cecilia;
VALENZANO Annarita;
WIERZGALA Piotr;
LISTORTI Giulia;
2025-10-20
Publications Office of the European Union
JRC142832
978-92-68-31406-7 (online),
1831-9424 (online),
EUR 40446,
OP KJ-01-25-453-EN-N (online),
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC142832,
10.2760/3727737 (online),
