2026-05-26T05:39:12Zhttps://riubu.ubu.es/oai/request

oai:riubu.ubu.es:10259/116412026-05-16T00:05:25Zcom_10259_6168com_10259_5086com_10259_2604col_10259_6169

Ibáñez Porras, Jesús Blanco Alcántara, David Perales-Fernández, Jose Manuel López-Abelairas, María Silva, Daniel da Silva, Tiago Ramos Monteiro, Helena Olszewska-Widdrat, Agata Venus, Joachim Xiros, Charilaos Wallenius, Anders Martel Martín, Sonia Barros García, Rocío 2026-05-15T12:22:49Z 2026-05-15T12:22:49Z 2026-04 0195-9255 https://hdl.handle.net/10259/11641 10.1016/j.eiar.2025.108291 1873-6432 Evaluating the economic viability and environmental impact of emerging technologies is crucial for the transition to a bio-based economy. This study proposes a methodology to assess the environmental and economic performance of bio-based lactic acid (LA) production by scaling up from pilot to industrial levels using fiber sludge, a residue from the pulp and paper industry, as a feedstock. Process design, Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) were conducted at pilot scale to identify key environmental and economic hotspots. External costs were estimated following the environmental Life Cycle Costing (eLCC) approach using the Environmental Prices (EP) method. At the pilot scale, the LCA indicated a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 3.87 kg CO₂-eq, which aligns with the values reported in previous studies. Scaling up to different plant capacities revealed the potential economies of scale. At a production rate of 50 kt per year, the Minimum Selling Price (MSP) was estimated at 1.71€/kg, which is comparable to that of other bio-based LA production routes. Assuming proportional environmental impacts from pilot to industrial scale, external costs were integrated into the MSP, resulting in adjusted values of 2.04€/kg (lower value), 2.21€/kg (central value), and 2.46 €/kg (upper value). Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses using Monte Carlo simulations indicated an 87.5 % probability of achieving a positive Net Present Value (NPV). This study highlights the need for standardised methodologies to evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of emerging bio-based technologies, particularly when accounting for external costs. This research has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant Agreement No. 952941) in the context of the BIOMAC project. Open access funding provided by UNIVERSIDAD DE BURGOS. The authors thank Daniel Cort´es-Batista for designing the graphical abstract. eng Elsevier Environmental Impact Assessment Review https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2025.108291 Atribución-NoComercial 4.0 Internacional http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess Lactic acid Life cycle assessment Environmental life cycle costing Techno-economic analysis Circular bioeconomy Gestión integrada de residuos Desarrollo sostenible Integrated solid waste management) Sustainable development Integrating life cycle and techno-economic assessment for bio-based lactic acid production from industrial residues info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion Environmental Impact Assessment Review 118 108291