RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article
T1 Integrating life cycle and techno-economic assessment for bio-based lactic acid production from industrial residues
A1 Ibáñez Porras, Jesús
A1 Blanco Alcántara, David
A1 Perales-Fernández, Jose Manuel
A1 López-Abelairas, María
A1 Silva, Daniel
A1 da Silva, Tiago Ramos
A1 Monteiro, Helena
A1 Olszewska-Widdrat, Agata
A1 Venus, Joachim
A1 Xiros, Charilaos
A1 Wallenius, Anders
A1 Martel Martín, Sonia
A1 Barros García, Rocío
K1 Lactic acid
K1 Life cycle assessment
K1 Environmental life cycle costing
K1 Techno-economic analysis
K1 Circular bioeconomy
K1 Gestión integrada de residuos
K1 Integrated solid waste management)
K1 Desarrollo sostenible
K1 Sustainable development
AB 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 capacitiesrevealed 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 ofachieving 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.
PB Elsevier
SN 0195-9255
YR 2026
FD 2026-04
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10259/11641
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10259/11641
LA eng
NO 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.
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Burgos
RD 17-may-2026