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2026
Report
Title
Methodological approach for a Social Impact Assessment in the Bioeconomy using S-LCA for early-stage technology developments - A case study for biobased epoxy resin -
Abstract
Biobased industries and processes are often in an early TRL stage, only function at lab- or pilot-scale, and process data are only available at these scales. Quantitative data for the whole life cycle process does not yet exist, making full-market-scale assessments difficult.
Consequently, Social Impact Assessments of early-stage technological developments of biobased products can only be done as ex-ante assessments.
While several social life cycle assessment (S-LCA) methods have been developed, including cradle-to-cradle approaches, ex-ante methodologies suitable for early-stage technologies and full life cycle coverage remain largely absent. In contrast to environmental LCA, social impact assessments are still qualitative and reliant on stakeholder expertise, raising challenges related to data reliability, uncertainty, and methodological consistency. Particularly within the evolving bioeconomy context, S-LCA requires further development to achieve parity with environmental and economic life cycle perspectives and to enable integrated LCA and cradle-to-cradle frameworks.
Given the lack of a unified ex-ante S-LCA methodology for low technology readiness level (TRL) innovations, assessments must be adapted to available data and explicitly account for uncertainty through evidence-based assumptions. Key strategies to address current limitations include exten-sive literature review for comparable quantitative data, hypothesis-driven assumptions, and the use of transparent scoring and weighting methods with stakeholder engagement across value chains.
The ex-ante S-LCA methodology proposed by Fraunhofer ISI is applied to the development of a novel epoxy resin with inherent recyclability capabilities in the frame of the EU funded RTD project ESTELLA.
Despite prevailing uncertainties related to future scaling and adoption, this proposed methodology extends traditional S-LCA by incorporating risk and opportunity assessments, enabling the identifi-cation of social hotspots, trade-offs, and mitigation actions for early-stage technology develop-ments.
By this, better informed and early decision-making and socially responsible development of bio-based products within the bioeconomy is supported.
Consequently, Social Impact Assessments of early-stage technological developments of biobased products can only be done as ex-ante assessments.
While several social life cycle assessment (S-LCA) methods have been developed, including cradle-to-cradle approaches, ex-ante methodologies suitable for early-stage technologies and full life cycle coverage remain largely absent. In contrast to environmental LCA, social impact assessments are still qualitative and reliant on stakeholder expertise, raising challenges related to data reliability, uncertainty, and methodological consistency. Particularly within the evolving bioeconomy context, S-LCA requires further development to achieve parity with environmental and economic life cycle perspectives and to enable integrated LCA and cradle-to-cradle frameworks.
Given the lack of a unified ex-ante S-LCA methodology for low technology readiness level (TRL) innovations, assessments must be adapted to available data and explicitly account for uncertainty through evidence-based assumptions. Key strategies to address current limitations include exten-sive literature review for comparable quantitative data, hypothesis-driven assumptions, and the use of transparent scoring and weighting methods with stakeholder engagement across value chains.
The ex-ante S-LCA methodology proposed by Fraunhofer ISI is applied to the development of a novel epoxy resin with inherent recyclability capabilities in the frame of the EU funded RTD project ESTELLA.
Despite prevailing uncertainties related to future scaling and adoption, this proposed methodology extends traditional S-LCA by incorporating risk and opportunity assessments, enabling the identifi-cation of social hotspots, trade-offs, and mitigation actions for early-stage technology develop-ments.
By this, better informed and early decision-making and socially responsible development of bio-based products within the bioeconomy is supported.
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Language
English