Sustainability in Circular Bioeconomy

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainable bioeconomy is a key building block within the EU vision for a modern, competitive, and climate neutral model of prosperity. Hence, the connection between the concept of circular bioeconomy and its promise of economic boost and simultaneous sustainable solutions is clearly expressed in the EU’s bioeconomy strategy. During the last decade, a constantly rising number of governments have embraced this vision to cope with changing global political contexts. Their strategies strive for a higher level of ambition, in order for bioeconomy to be a catalyst for sustainable change and transition, tackling key economic, societal, and environmental challenges. With the European Green Deal, relevant steps of integration are underway for key EU policies, such as circularity and climate, among others. Indeed, the EU transformative bioeconomy intends a shift from substitution logic toward circularity and sustainability. Within these circular bioeconomy principles, waste materials and residual biomass can be effectively reused, thus reducing drastically high waste volume. Not only does this help to solve a waste issue, but it also paves the way toward sustainable development, valorisation of waste, and generation of high value-added bio-based products.

Within this context, the aim of this Special Issue is to collect new ideas on the possible engagement of waste management processes with sustained innovation in various areas of bioeconomy through evidence derived by high-impact research studies and assessment approaches. Moreover, in this Special Issue, we aspire to present a selection of original and innovative papers highlighting the most challenging aspects relating to the comprehensive integration of life cycle thinking and multidisciplinary assessment in the nexus of sustainability, technology, and bioeconomy growth. Concepts, challenges, perspectives, and opportunities will shed light on the dynamic and forward-looking nature of environmental impact assessment tools, especially in the light of addressing the environmental, economic, and social aspects of sustainability crucial for shaping the future circular bioeconomy. Successful paradigms of environmental that impact assessment methodology and LCA application in specific case studies from the bio-based industry are also welcomed. Papers on the aforementioned, as well as other relevant topics, selected for this Special Issue will be subject to a rigorous peer-review process with the aim of rapid and wide dissemination of research results, developments, and applications.

Maria Batsioula
Dr. Apostolos Malamakis
Prof. Dr. Spiliotis Xenofon
Dr. George Banias
Guest Editors

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