Co-recycling of natural and synthetic carbon materials for a sustainable circular economy
Journal article, 2022

Circular economy approaches are commonly depicted by two cycles, where the biological cycle is associated with regeneration in the biosphere and the technical cycle with reuse, refurbishment, and recycling to maintain value and maximize material recovery. This work, instead, presents an alternative vision to the management of carbonbased materials that integrates the two cycles and enables the phasing-out of fossil carbon from the material system. The aim is to investigate the benefits and global potential of a co-recycling system, as an alternative to conventional recycling systems that separate biomass-based materials (e.g., wood, paper) from fossil-based materials (e.g., plastics). Thermochemical recycling technologies enable the conversion of carbon-based waste materials into high-quality synthetic products, promoting circularity and avoiding carbon losses such as carbon emissions and waste accumulation in landfills and nature. Here, the construction and analysis of co-recycling scenarios show how the deployment of thermochemical recycling technologies can decouple the material system from fossil resource extraction. Furthermore, energy use is reduced if pyrolysis and/or gasification are included in the portfolio of recycling technologies. In a decarbonized energy system, deployment of co-recycling can lead to near-zero carbon emissions, while in more carbon-intensive energy systems the choice of thermochemical recycling route is key to limiting carbon emissions.

Circular economy

Carbon emissions reduction

Thermochemical process

Recycling

Carbon materials

Resource management

Author

Isabel Cañete Vela

Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Energy Technology

Teresa Berdugo Vilches

Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Energy Technology

Göran Berndes

Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Physical Resource Theory

Filip Johnsson

Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Energy Technology

Henrik Thunman

Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Energy Technology

Journal of Cleaner Production

0959-6526 (ISSN)

Vol. 365 132674

Driving Forces

Sustainable development

Areas of Advance

Production

Subject Categories

Renewable Bioenergy Research

Other Environmental Engineering

Energy Systems

DOI

10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.132674

More information

Latest update

8/1/2022 1