Project
Negative GHG emissions and longtime sequestration (C fixation) through development of new C-based products
The transition from a fossil-based economy to the biobased economy and to climate positive production chains requires the establishment of a systematic approach to understand the use of different biomass feedstocks to produce biobased products. This project will provide a methodology to evaluate and understand the transition to bioeconomy through biobased product development and the potential effects on climate change mitigation.
The project focuses on long-term storage of carbon in bio-products (>25 years) and substitution of fossil-based products, with the aim to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas concentration and contribute in the fight against climate change. Many examples are available for substitution of materials, chemicals and energy sources with biobased alternatives. However, there is still a lack of integrated insights in the potential reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the potential scale of applications with long-term carbon storage, as well as their environmental, social and economic effects.
Abstract
Biobased products can contribute to reducing climate change. This potentially could be achieved either through long-term storage of carbon in these biobased products and / or through substitution of other products with high greenhouse gas emissions. The net carbon balance of these production systems, however, needs to be determined. There are many ideas for replacing materials, chemicals and energy sources with biobased alternatives, but there is a lack of understanding of the potential scale of application and long-term effects and consequences are unknown. Three different cases at European level are studied:
1. Wood-based products using forest biomass
2. Products based on (ligno-) cellulose from perennial crops
3. Products made from marine biomass (such as shellfish)