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I. (2015), Review of methodological choices in LCA of biorefinery systems -key issues and recommendations. Biofuels, Bioprod. Bioref., 9: 606-619., which has been published in final form at http://onlinelibrary. ABSTRACTThe current trend in biomass conversion technologies is towards more efficient utilization of biomass feedstock in multi-product biorefineries. Many life cycle assessment (LCA) studies of biorefinery systems have been performed, but differ in how they use the LCA methodology. Based on a review of existing LCA standards and guidelines, this paper provides recommendations on how to handle key methodological issues when performing LCA studies of biorefinery systems. Six key issues were identified: (1) goal definition, (2) functional unit, (3) allocation of biorefinery outputs, (4) allocation of biomass feedstock, (5) land use, and (6) biogenic carbon and timing of emissions. Many of the standards and guidelines reviewed here provide only general methodological recommendations. Some make more specific methodological recommendations, but these often differ between standards. In this paper we present some clarifications (e.g. examples of research questions and suitable functional units) and methodological recommendations (e.g. on allocation).

Background, aim, and scope Life cycle assessment (LCA) was initially developed to answer questions about the environmental impact of available products and services, implying that the product system under study was possible to investigate in detail; however, if new products or processes are to be evaluated, several complications occur. So, this paper aims to review the methodological issues that need careful attention when LCA is used for evaluating novel products, processes, or production from an environmental standpoint, as well as to draw some recommendations related to the best approach when dealing with them. Materials and methods An initial brainstorming on the identification of methodological issues when applying the standard LCA methodology for the evaluation of novel products allowed the identification of the relevant aspects, on which a literature review was then performed. Periodical meetings took place for discussion of the significant references and an agreed approach validated through three case studies on the food sector was defined as result of the procedure.

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