CALIMERO
CALIMERO is a project aimed at improving current methodologies for analysing the sustainability of the life cycle within the bio-based industry, in order to identify and enhance the most impactful aspects.
The CALIMERO project (Industry Case studies anaLysis to IMprove EnviROnmental performance and sustainability of bio-based industrial processes), funded by the European Union, aims to improve current methodologies for analysing the sustainability (environmental, social, and economic) of bio-based industrial processes. Its objective is to provide a more comprehensive and reliable life cycle assessment (LCSA) of these industries, taking into account factors often overlooked by existing methodologies. This improvement is crucial to identify more eco-friendly and sustainable solutions.
Given the responsibility of European industries for 51% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, it is urgent to find ways to reduce them, while avoiding other negative impacts on sustainable development. The transition to a circular and low-carbon bioeconomy, outlined in the European Green Deal and the EU industrial strategy, is a political priority.
The CALIMERO project also addresses the gaps in assessment methodologies, such as the PEF (Product Environmental Footprint), by introducing improvements in the evaluation of biodiversity, toxicity, GHG emissions, as well as circularity and socio-economic indicators.
Duration: 2022 – 2025
Total budget: 3 518 900€
MOXY
Project partners
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Our contribution
The presence of bio-based industries from sectors such as construction, woodworking, textiles, pulp and paper, and biochemistry within the consortium provides valuable insights into the sustainability needs of these industries. Their involvement in this framework helps to reduce environmental impacts by identifying the main sources of pollutants and analysing potentially feasible solutions, while considering the economic and social dimensions.
The project aims to establish a framework that enables bio-industries to progress across all the indicators of the PEF method, in addition to those introduced by CALIMERO. The involvement of bio-based industries within the consortium will help identify and propose solutions specific to each sector, as well as cross-cutting solutions, to address economic, social, and environmental challenges. Based on these data and analyses, guidelines and recommendations will be developed. The goal is to contribute to a more sustainable economy and disseminate these guidelines so that other bio-based industries can follow this dynamic.
Our contribution to Work Package 1 (WP1) “Challenges Related to Bio-Based Industries” focuses on assessing the environmental impacts and sustainability challenges of five bio-based sectors: construction, woodworking, textiles, pulp and paper, and biochemistry. We will identify and analyse negative environmental effects (O1.1), highlight sustainability hotspots and gaps in industrial processes (O1.2), and assess the incentives and barriers to evaluating and optimising sustainability (O1.3). Additionally, we will identify gaps in the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) tool and work on improving it for more accurate sector-specific assessments (O1.4). Our efforts aim to improve sustainability practices and support the optimisation of bio-based industries.