Purpose

We have to transform our societies and economic systems towards social, ecological, and economic (holistic) sustainability. Bioeconomy (BE) can contribute to sustainable development by substituting fossil-based products with renewable ones; however, sustainability is not intrinsic to BE.

Methods

Therefore, we developed a holistic and integrated life cycle sustainability assessment (HILCSA) method containing 91 indicators, implemented in openLCA, using the Ecoinvent and SoCa database, and addressing 15 out of 17 Sustainable Development Goals. We applied it for the first time to show its capabilities by assessing the holistic sustainability of laminated veneer lumber (LVL) relative to hot-rolled steel beams.

Results, discussion

Our results indicate that renewable bio-based construction materials can have a better holistic sustainability than fossil-based products for nearly all indicators, by less stressing the environment, having a less negative impact on society and being economically more efficient. However, fossil-based components of LVL such as phenolic resin are main contributors of negative impacts and should be reduced and replaced. Renewable resources from agriculture and forestry have significant impacts on land use (change).

Conclusions

HILCSA demonstrates to be able to provide comprehensive sustainability assessments as well as aggregated results. BE substitutes indeed can improve sustainability; however, sustainability assessments and HILCSA need to be further developed to allow conclusions to be drawn about absolute sustainability of BE.