Circularity potential identification for new bio-materials using material flow analysis

IF 8.2 1区环境科学与生态学 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Science of the Total Environment Pub Date : 2025-05-15 DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179649

Mariusz Kruczek, Karolina Jąderko-Skubis, Małgorzata Markowska, Aleksandra Zgórska, Małgorzata Białowąs

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Transitioning to a Circular Economy (CE) in the bio-based materials sector is essential for achieving sustainability and reducing environmental impacts. This study presents a comprehensive circularity assessment across three novel bio-based value chains: multifunctional rubber panels, bioplastic bottle closures, and wood composite bearings. Utilizing an integrated methodological approach that combines Material Flow Analysis (MFA) with advanced circularity indicators and Bill of Materials (BoM), the research quantifies resource efficiency, waste reduction potential, and closed-loop material flows within these systems.

The analysis reveals substantial differences in circularity outcomes among these three value chains. Multifunctional rubber panels demonstrate a high circularity potential, with recycled content constituting up to 68.1 % of the total material input. However, opportunities for improvement remain in addressing the variability in secondary rubber quality and optimizing lignin recovery processes to enhance circularity. Bioplastic bottle closures exhibit the highest renewable input utilization, reaching up to 85 %, yet still present opportunities for improvement, particularly in the scalability of waste recovery systems and addressing regulatory constraints on food-grade recycled materials. Wood composite bearings effectively utilize forest residues and natural fibers, thereby reducing their dependency on non-renewable inputs, but are currently facing technical development needs in component disassembly and recycling strategies, presenting pathways for future optimization of material recirculation.

To address these challenges, the study proposes strategic interventions tailored to each value chain, including the development of advanced recycling technologies, enhancement of eco-design for disassembly and recyclability, and fostering stakeholder collaboration to close material loops. By advancing the application of MFA combined with BoM in evaluating circularity metrics, this research provides a robust analytical framework that transcends conventional qualitative assessments. The value chain-specific evaluation contributes to operationalizing CE principles within bio-based production systems and offers actionable insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers. These findings support strategic decision-making aimed at aligning industrial practices with the European Green Deal and global sustainability targets.

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利用物料流分析识别新型生物材料的循环势

生物基材料行业向循环经济过渡对于实现可持续性和减少环境影响至关重要。本研究对三个新型生物基价值链进行了全面的循环性评估：多功能橡胶板、生物塑料瓶瓶盖和木复合材料轴承。利用综合方法，将物料流分析（MFA）与先进的循环指标和物料清单（BoM）相结合，研究量化了这些系统中的资源效率、减少浪费的潜力和闭环物料流。分析显示，这三个价值链之间的循环结果存在巨大差异。多功能橡胶板显示出很高的循环潜力，其回收成分占总材料投入的68.1%。然而，改进的机会仍然存在于解决二次橡胶质量的可变性和优化木质素回收过程，以提高循环性。生物塑料瓶盖的可再生投入利用率最高，达到85%，但仍有改进的机会，特别是在废物回收系统的可扩展性和解决对食品级回收材料的监管限制方面。木质复合材料轴承有效地利用了森林残留物和天然纤维，从而减少了对不可再生投入物的依赖，但目前在部件拆卸和回收策略方面面临技术发展需求，为未来优化材料再循环提供了途径。为了应对这些挑战，该研究提出了针对每个价值链的战略干预措施，包括开发先进的回收技术，加强拆卸和可回收性的生态设计，以及促进利益相关者合作以实现材料循环。通过推进MFA与BoM在循环度量评估中的应用，本研究提供了一个超越传统定性评估的强大分析框架。针对价值链的评估有助于在生物基生产系统中实施节能减排原则，并为政策制定者、行业领导者和研究人员提供可操作的见解。这些发现为旨在使工业实践与欧洲绿色协议和全球可持续发展目标保持一致的战略决策提供了支持。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Science of the Total Environment 环境科学-环境科学

CiteScore

17.60

自引率

10.20%

发文量

8726

审稿时长

2.4 months

期刊介绍： The Science of the Total Environment is an international journal dedicated to scientific research on the environment and its interaction with humanity. It covers a wide range of disciplines and seeks to publish innovative, hypothesis-driven, and impactful research that explores the entire environment, including the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and anthroposphere. The journal's updated Aims & Scope emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary environmental research with broad impact. Priority is given to studies that advance fundamental understanding and explore the interconnectedness of multiple environmental spheres. Field studies are preferred, while laboratory experiments must demonstrate significant methodological advancements or mechanistic insights with direct relevance to the environment.