Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) production in a circular CO2 economy: it's role in mitigating global CO2 emissions

IF 11.2 1区环境科学与生态学 Q1 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL

Resources Conservation and Recycling Pub Date : 2025-04-10 DOI:10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108303

Zhiyuan Zong , Chitong Rao , Changjiang Du , Rong Lu , D.Chester Upham

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Abstract

The use of fossil-fuel derived plastic significantly contributes to resource depletion and global warming. This study provides a life cycle assessment of PHA production, including (1) fully transparent in-plant data with a cradle-to-grave scope, (2) a universal life cycle model with varying input variables to ensure results are adaptable to different scenarios, (3) optimization pathways for both environmental and economic aspects, and (4) forecasts of potential impacts and compare with recycled plastic across different future timelines and locations. The cradle-to-grave carbon footprint of PHA is determined to be 5.77 kg-CO₂e/kg-PHA today - nearly equivalent to that of conventional fossil-based plastics (5.52 kg-CO₂e/kg-plastic) – however, with reasonable improvements projected for 2030/35, PHA would result in a carbon footprint of 2.01 kg-CO₂e/kg-PHA. The cost is also found to be similar ($1168/t vs $1320/t).

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来源期刊

Resources Conservation and Recycling 环境科学-工程：环境

CiteScore

22.90

自引率

6.10%

发文量

625

审稿时长

23 days

期刊介绍： The journal Resources, Conservation & Recycling welcomes contributions from research, which consider sustainable management and conservation of resources. The journal prioritizes understanding the transformation processes crucial for transitioning toward more sustainable production and consumption systems. It highlights technological, economic, institutional, and policy aspects related to specific resource management practices such as conservation, recycling, and resource substitution, as well as broader strategies like improving resource productivity and restructuring production and consumption patterns. Contributions may address regional, national, or international scales and can range from individual resources or technologies to entire sectors or systems. Authors are encouraged to explore scientific and methodological issues alongside practical, environmental, and economic implications. However, manuscripts focusing solely on laboratory experiments without discussing their broader implications will not be considered for publication in the journal.