Overarching
There are several practices that are relevant for all the stages of a process/product chain. In particular, best practices included in this intermediary stage correspond to the optimization, tracking, performance measuring and other mechanisms that can lead to the improvement of products and processes. Hence, they do contribute to energy use performance, GHG emission reduction and other benefits across the supply chain.This set of best practices could include carbon accounting, advanced process control, digital monitoring, etc.
Inputs
Practices included in this stage are focused on the use of non-fossil raw materials and material inputs and feedstocks. E.g., raw biomass, agricultural by-products, bio-waste, water sludge, etc.
Products & Processes
The stage includes the production and manufacturing process as well as products. Focus is given to:
a. Practices that do imply a significant reduction of energy use and the replacement of fossil-based solutions e.g., energy production. Examples are Power to X processes, enzyme polymerization, biocatalysts, etc.
b. Outputs resulting from e.g., production processes that are not a chemical/material product per se. These practices refer in essence to resulting energy (e.g., heat and exhaust gases, etc) or material (e.g. biomass by-products, waste, etc) outputs that are deemed as products and are useful to be reintegrated as inputs into new production processes. Hence, this results in energy and material saving
Non-product outputs
In this stage, practices included focused on outputs resulting from e.g., production processes that are not a chemical/material product per se. These practices refer in essence to resulting energy (e.g., heat and exhaust gases, etc) or material (e.g., biomass by-products, waste, etc) outputs.
Recycling/reuse/recirculation
Re-circulation, reuse, recovery, or recycling of energy and materials is essential for resource efficiency. Therefore, this stage integrates practices that are focused on the use of chemical outputs such for example chemicals, materials, and other products that have reached their end of life (EoL) from a consumer perspective.