Developing environmental sustainability & circularity assessment methodologies for industrial bio-based systems

The main objective of the ESCIB project is to support the sustainability of the bio-based economy in Europe. To achieve this, ESCIB will develop assessment methodologies and thus contribute to the standardisation of such methodologies. The aim is to develop a comprehensive, robust and fully operational methodology to assess the sustainability of bio-based systems at various technology-readiness levels (TRLs). This methodology is based on a holistic life-cycle approach to evaluate the environmental impacts and circularity along bio-based value chains. Potential socio-economic trade-offs will be addressed and included in the methodology. ESCIB’s integrated way of analysing environmental and circularity impacts along bio-based value chains is also fully in line with the ambition of the European Green Deal (EGD) and the Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP). With the involvement of five innovative industry partners in the consortium, which produce bio-based products in different sectors, ESCIB will ensure high applicability of the method which can be used by certification organisations to label and certify products for the benefit of consumers and society. Finally, the results will give orientations for research and innovation programmes in the bio-based sectors.