Bio-based Materials Within the Circular Economy: Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

In a circular society, material consumption should be a circular process where renewable resources and waste streams are used for new bio-based materials. In such a society, bio-based materials are also reused, repaired, recycled, and remanufactured. Not only choices on resources, but also other life cycle choices pertaining to circularity must be done based on technological, environmental and economic basis. For this session, presentations and discussions regarding life cycle management of bio-based materials were suggested. The session had five oral presentations and six poster presentations that gave a general picture of a broader environmental and a positive economic result on a life cycle basis when renewable raw materials are used, while further exploration of the technical aspects within circularity and end-of-life challenges are needed in the future.