Ex-Ante Eco-Efficiency Assessment of Dendromass Production: Conception and Experiences of an Innovation Project

Rising demand for bio-based products exerts growing pressure on natural resources such as wood. The agricultural technique of short rotation coppice (SRC) to produce dendromass from fast trees has gained relevance ease the wood forests. European-funded project Dendromass4Europe supports establishment SRC in Western Slovakia and its biomass use four new materials, context a developing bioeconomy. Along with development material value chains, eco-efficiency assessment is carried out anticipate areas critical concern derive measures improvement. Among many other approaches, was conducted by combining Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) socio-economic optimize whole production system towards eco-efficiency. An LCA study provided necessary data assess environmental performance. added revenue results were used economic chain moulded fibre parts shows best value, but only because performance comparatively strong. lightweight boards have least impact do not perform so well terms overall full can be optimized specific combination all dendromass-based materials within system.