D5.7: Preliminary Circularity and Sustainability Assessment (v1)

The preliminary assessment begins with the definition of goals, functional units and system boundaries for each pilot. Material-flow diagrams identify processes, actors and resource exchanges, and harmonised inventories describe material, water and energy inputs and outputs. Mass-balance checks support internal consistency. Circularity indicators are combined with life-cycle environmental assessment using the Environmental Footprint method. Baseline and proposed pilot scenarios are compared on consistent boundaries and units. The first assessment uses literature and proxy or modelled datasets alongside limited primary pilot information. Its role is to identify potential benefits, hotspots and trade-offs, with later operating data intended to strengthen the final evaluation.

Pilot-specific baseline scenarios, functional units and system boundaries, not a single project-wide baseline.

The scenarios indicate potential gains from agro-food by-product valorisation, reclaimed water and nutrient recovery, recycled polymers and reusable sheets, and more circular vehicle procurement, operation and end-of-life management. The assessment also identifies additional energy, water, chemical and processing burdens. It provides a basis for improving pilot design and primary-data collection.

Preliminary modelling uses literature values, proxy data and limited pilot measurements. Plastics baselines require alignment with actual recycled inputs, and the vehicle-manufacturing model excludes lithium-ion battery production. These boundaries and data gaps limit comparison and aggregation.