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End-of-Life Options for Bio-Based Plastics in a Circular Economy—Status Quo and Potential from a Life Cycle Assessment Perspective

Author

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  • Sebastian Spierling

    (Institute of Plastics and Circular Economy, Leibniz Universität Hannover, An der Universität 2, 30823 Garbsen, Germany)

  • Venkateshwaran Venkatachalam

    (Institute of Plastics and Circular Economy, Leibniz Universität Hannover, An der Universität 2, 30823 Garbsen, Germany)

  • Marina Mudersbach

    (Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research, Application Center for Wood Fiber Research, Heisterbergallee 10A, 30453 Hannover, Germany)

  • Nico Becker

    (Institute for Bioplastics and Biocomposites, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hannover, Heisterbergallee 10A, 30453 Hannover, Germany)

  • Christoph Herrmann

    (Institute of Machine Tools and Production Technology, Sustainable Manufacturing & Life Cycle Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Langer Kamp 19 B, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany)

  • Hans-Josef Endres

    (Institute of Plastics and Circular Economy, Leibniz Universität Hannover, An der Universität 2, 30823 Garbsen, Germany)

Abstract

The bio-based plastic market is forecast to grow in the next years. With a growing market share and product range, the implementation of circular thinking is becoming more and more important also for bio-based plastics to enable a sound circular economy for these group of plastics. Therefore, it is important to assess the environmental performance for different end-of-life options of bio-based plastics from an early stage on. This review presents a comprehensive overview on the current status quo of different end-of-life options for bio-based plastics from an environmental perspective. Based on the status quo and the corresponding impact assessment results, the global plastic demand as well as the technical substitution potential of bio-based plastics, the environmental saving potential in case of the different end-of-life options was calculated. The review shows that there is a focus on polylactic acid (PLA) regarding end-of-life assessment, with studies covering all end-of-life options. The focus of the impact assessment has been set on global warming potential (GWP). With respect to GWP, the analysis of a future global potential of PLA showed, for mechanical recycling, the highest saving potential with 94.1 Mio. t CO 2 -eq. per year in comparison to virgin material.

Suggested Citation

  • Sebastian Spierling & Venkateshwaran Venkatachalam & Marina Mudersbach & Nico Becker & Christoph Herrmann & Hans-Josef Endres, 2020. "End-of-Life Options for Bio-Based Plastics in a Circular Economy—Status Quo and Potential from a Life Cycle Assessment Perspective," Resources, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-20, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jresou:v:9:y:2020:i:7:p:90-:d:387452
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mousavi-Avval, Seyed Hashem & Sahoo, Kamalakanta & Nepal, Prakash & Runge, Troy & Bergman, Richard, 2023. "Environmental impacts and techno-economic assessments of biobased products: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).

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