Life cycle assessment of biomass conversion through fast pyrolysis: A systematic review on technical potential and drawbacks

Converting biomass into high-value-added products through fast pyrolysis is an important pathway for achieving carbon neutrality and reducing the environmental impact of conventional feedstock. Based on previous studies, this review critically analyzes the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) conducted on biomass conversion. The results indicated that the comparison between various studies is not feasible due to the difference in the adopted LCA methods, such as functional units, system boundaries, allocation, life cycle impact assessment, data sources, and software among researchers. Furthermore, this paper is dedicated to offering insights and recommendations on addressing these issues during LCA analysis. Through this, researchers can more effectively explore the differences and similarities among biomass conversion systems. Finally, the impact assessment results are discussed systematically, especially in terms of global warming potential. Promoting the integration of LCA and circular economy is advocated to ensure a more environmentally friendly and sustainable approach to biomass conversion.