Future-Oriented LCA for Materials Derived from Plant Resources

Abstract

To achieve carbon neutrality, the chemical industry must transition its carbon sources from fossil-derived materials to those derived from recycling, biomass, and atmospheric CO₂. However, the current availability of biomass resources is insufficient to meet this demand, necessitating enhanced agricultural-industrial collaboration technologies and improvements in both the quality and quantity of recycled resources. Implementing novel resource and conversion technologies is essential for this transformation, and thus, evaluating future technologies becomes critical. This review specifically focuses on cellulose nanofibers (CNF) derived from woody lignocellulosic resources. Using a future-oriented Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach, we outline key perspectives on the evaluation of their manufacturing and utilization processes. CNFs, characterized by steel-like strength, low density, and favorable processing attributes, hold significant promise for applications in automotive and electronic devices. Nonetheless, challenges persist, such as regional variations in production processes, difficulties in inventory estimation, and the necessity of establishing effective recycling and recovery systems. Through illustrative case studies, this paper examines methodologies for evaluating these challenges related to future technologies and systematically discusses the implications of future-oriented LCA approaches for the selection of plant-derived materials.