Dark fermentation as an environmentally sustainable WIN-WIN solution for bioenergy production

The current energy and environmental crisis, linked to increasing industrialisation, has progressively driven the adoption of solutions focused on circular life cycle thinking, such as waste management with resource recovery decarbonization technologies. In this context, study was built quantify performance a two-stage wastewater treatment process (dark fermentation anaerobic digestion) in which three feedstocks (sugar beet molasses, cheese whey wine vinasses mixed plant sludge) from food industry were valorized hydrogen. regard, several profiles created using Life Cycle Assessment methodology two system boundaries (cradle-to-gate gate-to-gate) methods (ReCiPe Midpoint Endpoint). Furthermore, research synergistically complemented an analysis including indicators input-output flow balances provide win-win solution for utilization. results have taken different directions depending methodological assumptions considered but, general terms, sugar molasses scenario can be claimed all cases energetically sustainable best profile. With surplus 155%, cradle-to-gate recorded impact 4/8 midpoint categories overall reduction 67% 94% (excluding co-products) ReCiPe damage single score compared sludge scenarios, respectively. sense, viability competitiveness these scenarios is compromised by lack self-sufficiency (there 53% deficiency scenario) climate-neutral outcomes (a result 5510 mPt/Nm 3 H 2 shows that far being zero-emission process). • Valorization food-processing industry: sugar, wine, dairy. Feedstock benchmark dark fermentation-anaerobic digestion system. changes boundaries. SBM CC potential 7.87, 39.74 9.13 kg CO /Nm SBM, CW WVS.