Sustainability of Bio-based Products: Linking Life Cycle Thinking with Standards, Certification and Labelling Schemes

Abstract

This session gathered contributions showing how Life Cycle Thinking can feed in the development of sustainability criteria, the certification and, ultimately, the policy making for bio-based products and processes. The session was composed of five presentations related to methodological approaches, case studies and real life examples, which were followed by a panel discussion. The addressed subjects covered the sustainability assessment of bio-based plastics, marine biotechnology processes, bio-based lubricants and forestry sector, and the assessment of the water scarcity. Key issues which emerged from the discussion include: the methodological difficulties in comparing bio-based and conventional products; the availability of data; the need to keep research focused on practical applications and increase the interest of industry.