The Value of Transdisciplinary Perspectives During Transition to a Bio-based Economy: The Prospect for Converting Mixed Food Waste into Bio-based Chemicals

Abstract

Within the current political and industrial transition to a bio-based economy, food waste can be an alternative resource for biobased chemicals. This chapter describes a case study that evaluates the prospect for Swedish production of biobased chemicals such as succinic acid from food waste. The evaluation is addressed from multiple systems perspectives. From a technical and resource system perspective, the results of the case study show that production seems possible. However, from a social system perspective succinic acid production currently lacks institutional support and actor commitment and alignment for realizing development in Sweden. From an environmental and life cycle perspective, the scoping of the analysis is decisive for the results. The study shows that multiple perspectives complement each other when seeking a nuanced evaluation of technical innovation and give insights for the intended value chain.