Techno-Economic and Life Cycle Analysis of Biorefineries: Assessing Sustainability and Scalability in the Bioeconomy

Abstract

The worldwide transition to a sustainable bioeconomy is significantly reliant on the successful installation of biorefineries, which convert biomass into a variety of biobased goods. This study presents a comprehensive techno-economic and life cycle analysis (TEA-LCA) paradigm for determining biorefinery sustainability and scalability. The TEA part looks at important economic factors like market competitiveness, capital expenditure (CAPEX), and operating expenditure (OPEX) to find out what causes costs to rise and what technological limits biorefineries face that affect their ability to make money. The LCA assesses environmental implications across the manufacturing chain, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, energy and water use, and land usage. This analysis is unique as it identifies methods to improve sustainability by using renewable energy and increasing process efficiency. In addition, we investigate the potential of biorefineries to facilitate a circular economy by analyzing the trade-offs between economic and environmental objectives. In addition to technical assessments, scaling issues—ranging from regional biomass supply to logistical infrastructure—are examined, underscoring the need for enabling policy frameworks for promoting bio-based products in mainstream markets. The review provides concrete guidelines for planning, managing, and growing sustainable biorefineries, therefore contributing to a low-carbon, resilient future.