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Updated: Aug 1, 2025

Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer
Published on: November 30, 2020
Principles, drivers and opportunities of a circular bioeconomy
Abigail Muscat1, Evelien M de Olde2, Raimon Ripoll-Bosch2
1Animal Production Systems group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands. abigail.muscat@wur.nl.
Abstract:
A circular, bio-based economy could provide the pathway to a sustainable future. Here we present five ecological principles to guide biomass use towards a circular bioeconomy: safeguarding and regenerating the health of our (agro)ecosystems; avoiding non-essential products and the waste of essential ones; prioritizing biomass streams for basic human needs; utilizing and recycling by-products of (agro)ecosystems; and using renewable energy while minimizing overall energy use. Implementing these principles calls for a transformation of our current economic system, including fundamental changes to policies, technologies, organizations, social behaviour and markets.
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