Turning Agricultural Wastes into Biomaterials: Assessing the Sustainability of Scenarios of Circular Valorization of Corn Cob in a Life-Cycle Perspective
Source abstract
Abstract
Circular economy plays a key role in increasing the sustainability of the agricultural sector, given the countless possibilities of transforming crop residues and recycling precious resources. The maize cultivation process produces a significant amount of residual organic materials, commonly left on the field, as a soil conditioner and source of nutrients even if some parts, such as the cob, play a minor role in these actions. The solutions for the valorization of this remnant depend on economic and environmental factors and the evaluation of the environmental performances of the processes in a life-cycle perspective is important to compare the overall sustainability of the valorization alternatives, maximizing their environmental added value. This work reports the results of Life Cycle Analysis, from cradle-to-gate of corn cob valorized as a raw material in two scenarios: corn cob pellet and corn cob abrasive grits to use as blasting or finishing media. A comparative study has been performed with two products available on the market and with the same functions. The results show that cob-based products have lower impact than those currently used. The work provides indication for evaluating the benefits of turning agricultural wastes in natural-based materials and intends to promote circular economy processes in agriculture production.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Bioeconomy and Sustainability Development · Biofuel production and bioconversion
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Viale G. Fanin 48, 40127 Bologna, Italy
References (49)
Show source-provided references
1. Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission (2018). Review of the 2012 European Bioeconomy Strategy, Publications Office of the EU.
2. OECD International Futures Programme (2006). The Bioeconomy to 2030: Designing a Policy Agenda, OECD Publishing. Technical Report.
3. Diakosavvas, D., and Frezal, C. (2019). Bio-Economy and the Sustainability of the Agriculture and Food System: Opportunities and Policy Challenges, OECD Publishing. OECD Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Papers, No. 136.
4. Towards a bio-based circular economy in organic waste management and wastewater treatment—The Polish perspective10.1016/j.nbt.2020.11.005 ↗
5. Seedbed preparation for arable crops: Environmental impact of alternative mechanical solutions10.1016/j.still.2017.06.006 ↗
6. An environmental comparison of techniques to reduce pollutants emissions related to agricultural tractors10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2018.04.014 ↗
7. European Commission (2014). Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions towards a Circular Economy: A Zero Waste Programme for Europe, Publications Office of the EU.
8. European Commission (2019). First Circular Economy Action Plan, Publications Office of the EU.
9. Ubando, A.T., Felix, C.B., and Chen, W.H. (2020). Bioresource Technology Biore fi neries in circular bioeconomy: A comprehensive review. Bioresour. Technol. J., 299.10.1016/j.biortech.2019.122585 ↗
10. Abbas, F., Hammad, H.M., Anwar, F., Farooque, A.A., and Jawad, R. (2021). Transforming a Valuable Bioresource to Biochar, Its Environmental Importance, and Potential Applications in Boosting Circular Bioeconomy While Promoting Sustainable Agriculture. Sustainability, 13.10.3390/su13052599 ↗
11. Valorization of Food and Agricultural Waste: A Step towards Greener Future10.1002/tcr.201800094 ↗
12. Agricultural bio-waste materials as potential sustainable precursors used for activated carbon production: A review10.1016/j.rser.2015.02.051 ↗
13. Production of biodegradable plastic from agricultural wastes10.1016/j.arabjc.2015.04.008 ↗
14. Miricioiu, M.G., and Niculescu, V.C. (2020). Fly Ash, from Recycling to Potential Raw Material for Mesoporous Silica Synthesis. Nanomaterials, 10.10.3390/nano10030474 ↗
15. Miricioiu, M.G., Niculescu, V.C., Filote, C., Raboaca, M.S., and Nechifor, G. (2021). Coal Fly Ash Derived Silica Nanomaterial for MMMs—Application in CO2/CH4 Separation. Membranes, 11.10.3390/membranes11020078 ↗
16. Caicedo, M., Barros, J., and Ordás, B. (2016). Redefining Agricultural Residues as Bioenergy Feedstocks. Materials, 9.10.3390/ma9080635 ↗
17. Assessing lignocellulosic biomass production from crop residues in the European Union: Modelling, analysis of the current scenario and drivers of interannual variability10.1111/gcbb.12604 ↗
18. Corn Cob Residue Carbon and Nutrient Dynamics during Decompositionduring Decomposition10.2134/agronj2011.0002 ↗
19. Cob Removal Effect on Sediment and Runoff Nutrient Loss from a Silt Loam Soil10.2134/agronj2010.0202 ↗
20. Decomposition of grain-corn residues (Zea mays L.): A litterbag study under three tillage systems10.4141/S01-013 ↗
21. Chemical composition of crop biomass impacts its decomposition10.2136/sssaj2005.0419 ↗
22. Wall panels of Arundo donax L. for environmentally sustainable agriculture buildings: Thermal performance evaluation
23. Utilization of cork residues for high performance walls in green buildings
24. Cob Biomass Production in the Western Corn Belt10.1007/s12155-008-9026-6 ↗
25. Engineering, nutrient removal, and feedstock conversion evaluations of four corn stover harvest scenarios10.1016/j.biombioe.2006.07.006 ↗
26. Single-pass, split-stream harvest of corn grain and stover10.13031/2013.22626 ↗
27. Pordesimo, L.O., Edens, W.C., and Sokhansanj, S. (2002). Distribution of Above Ground Biomass in Corn Stover, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
28. Life cycle assessment of maize cultivation and biomass utilization in northern Thailand10.1038/s41598-020-60532-2 ↗
29. Environmental assessment of wheat and maize production in an Italian farmers’ cooperative10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.06.136 ↗
30. Life cycle assessment of corn grain and corn stover in the United States10.1007/s11367-008-0054-4 ↗
31. Pellet production from agricultural raw materials—A systems study10.1016/j.biombioe.2010.10.016 ↗
32. Life cycle assessment and economic evaluation of pellet fuel from corn straw in China: A case study in Jilin Province10.1016/j.energy.2017.04.068 ↗
33. European Standard Commision (2006). Environmental Management—Life Cycle Assessment—Principles and Framework (ISO 14040:2006), ISO.
34. European Standard Commision (2006). Environmental Management—Life Cycle Assessment—Requirements and Guidelines (ISO 14044:2006), ISO.
35. Weidema, B.P., Bauer, C., Hischier, R., Mutel, C., Nemecek, T., Reinhard, J., Vadenbo, C.O., and Wernet, G. (2013). Overview and Methodology. Data Quality Guideline for the Ecoinvent Database Version 3, The Ecoinvent Centre. Technical Report.
36. Martin, S., Bunsen, J., and Ciroth, A. (2018). Case Study Ceramic Cup vs. Paper Cup, GreenDelta GmbH. Technical Report.
37. Masella, P., and Galasso, I. (2020). A Comparative Cradle-to-Gate Life Cycle Study of Bio-Energy Feedstock from Camelina sativa, an Italian Case Study. Sustainability, 12.10.3390/su12229590 ↗
38. (2007). Ecoinvent 3.7.1 Dataset Documentation. Silicon Carbide Production, The Ecoinvent Centre.
39. (2013). Ecoinvent 3.7.1 Dataset Documentation. Wood Pellet Production, The Ecoinvent Centre.
40. (2021, July 02). Istat, Istituto Nazionale di Statistica. Available online: https://www.istat.it/en/.
41. Life cycle analysis: Comparison between different methods and optimization challenges10.1016/j.procir.2015.12.048 ↗
42. Kim, S., and Park, J. (2020). Comparative life cycle assessment of multiple liquid laundry detergent packaging formats. Sustainability, 12.10.3390/su12114669 ↗
43. Blandino, M., Calcagno, M., Ferrero, C., Fabbri, C., Vanzetti, C., and Reyneri, A. (2013). Tutolo, Sottoprodotto del Mais per uso Energetico, L’Informatore Agrario.
44. The New International Standards for Life Cycle Assessment: ISO 14040 and ISO 1404410.1065/lca2006.02.002 ↗
45. Allocation issues in LCA methodology: A case study of corn stover-based fuel ethanol10.1007/s11367-009-0112-6 ↗
46. Hauschild, M., Goedkoop, M., Guinee, J., Heijungs, R., Huijbregts, M., Jolliet, O., Margni, M., De Schryver, A., Pennington, D., and Pant, R. (2011). Recommendations for Life Cycle Impact Assessment in the European Context—Based on Existing Environmental Impact Assessment Models and Factors (International Reference Life Cycle Data System—ILCD Handbook), Publications Office of the EU.
47. Solomon, S., Qin, D., Manning, M., Chen, Z., Marquis, M., Averyt, K.B., Tignor, M., and Miller, H.L. (2007). IPCC 2007: Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press.
48. Frischknecht, R., Editors, N.J., Althaus, H.J., Doka, G., Dones, R., Heck, T., Hellweg, S., Hischier, R., Nemecek, T., and Rebitzer, G. (2007). Overview and Methodology, The Ecoinvent Centre. Technical Report 1.
49. Cumulative energy demand in LCA: The energy harvested approach10.1007/s11367-015-0897-4 ↗