Assessing the Social and Economic Implications of FLEXBY´s Sustainable Biofuel Pathway

A central milestone in this effort is the First Social Evaluation and Economic Report (S-LCA and LCC), led by GreenDelta with contributions from across the consortium. This report provides an early but comprehensive assessment of the social and economic implications of FLEXBY’s emerging technologies, laying the groundwork for the final integrated sustainability evaluation planned for the later stages of the project.

The report applies two complementary methodologies: Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC). Together, they examine FLEXBY’s system from a cradle-to-gate perspective, covering feedstock sourcing, conversion processes, and intermediate outputs. The analysis focuses on two representative feedstocks—microalgae cultivated in municipal wastewater and dairy-derived oily sludge—both of which reflect FLEXBY’s commitment to waste valorisation and circular economy principles. The system under assessment delivers multiple outputs, including advanced biofuels, electricity from pyro-gas, biochar, and, in the case of microalgae, an additional wastewater treatment function.

From a social perspective, the S-LCA identifies potential social risks and opportunities across six stakeholder groups: workers, value chain actors, local communities, society, consumers, and children. Key social hotspots are linked to upstream industrial supply chains, particularly in relation to occupational health and safety, labour rights compliance, and gender inequalities. At the same time, the assessment highlights FLEXBY’s potential to generate positive social outcomes, such as job creation, reduced health impacts through lower emissions, and broader societal benefits associated with sustainable energy deployment. To complement database-driven analysis, the study also integrates qualitative insights from a social survey, capturing perceptions of social acceptance, perceived risks, and stakeholder expectations.

The economic assessment evaluates the cost structure of the FLEXBY system over a 20-year operational lifetime, including capital expenditure, operational costs, and component replacement. The analysis identifies the microwave-assisted pyrolysis unit as the main cost driver, largely due to its energy demand and equipment costs, followed by the hydrogen-free HDO stage. Feedstock-related costs vary significantly: while microalgae cultivation is relatively cost-intensive, coupling it with wastewater treatment can offset or even reduce overall system costs. In contrast, dairy sludge—being a residual waste stream—enters the system with no feedstock production cost. Sensitivity analyses further show that integrating additional system functions, such as wastewater treatment services or resource recovery, can substantially improve economic performance.

Across both assessments, several cross-cutting themes emerge. Energy efficiency remains a priority, with FLEXBY’s use of microwave-assisted pyrolysis powered by renewable electricity offering clear advantages but also highlighting areas for further optimisation. Circularity and valorisation opportunities—such as biochar use and ammonia recovery—are identified as promising levers to enhance both economic and environmental performance. Equally important is the need to proactively address identified social hotspots, particularly in upstream supply chains, to support responsible scaling and long-term societal acceptance.

Overall, the report provides a robust foundation for FLEXBY’s sustainability strategy. By integrating social and economic considerations at an early stage, the project is better positioned to refine its technologies, guide future design choices, and align with EU sustainability objectives. The insights gained will directly inform the final integrated sustainability assessment, supporting FLEXBY’s ambition to deliver not only efficient and flexible biofuel solutions, but also technologies that are socially responsible and economically viable.

Download the full report here >