Social Life Cycle Assessment of Biomass Feedstocks for the Production of Chemicals: A Region-Specific Comparison

Forschungsthema/Bereich

Sustainability Assessment, Life Cycle Assessment, Environmental Assessment

Typ der Abschlussarbeit

Master

Startzeitpunkt

-

Bewerbungsschluss

07.11.2025

Dauer der Arbeit

-

Beschreibung

The production of chemicals faces significant pressure to transition from fossil-based to renewable raw materials, with biomass feedstocks playing a critical role in enabling this shift toward more sustainable chemical production. While biomass-based chemicals offer a promising solution given the limited availability of alternatives, their production raise profound social challenges which can vary depending on the geographic origin of the biomass. This regional variability highlights the urgent need for comprehensive evaluations that incorporate social sustainability indicators. Therefore, this master thesis aims to systematically examine and compare the social impacts of biomass feedstocks sourced from different countries through a Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA), providing insights into how regional differences can significantly affect the social sustainability of biomass-based chemical production. This master thesis is connected to the ELOBIO project within the RESET research group. RESET consists of experts focusing on the environmental, economic, and social aspects of cutting-edge sustainable energy technologies.

Responsibilities

• Literature review on most recent Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) methods and approaches.

• Identification and selection of relevant biomass feedstocks and regions.

• Data collection on supply chain and social impacts.

• Conducting an S-LCA with a region-specific comparative approach.

• Analysis and interpretation of results.

• Formulation of recommendations for action regarding sourcing strategies in chemical production.

Voraussetzung

Voraussetzungen an Studierende

• Interest in sustainability, social impacts, and Life Cycle Assessment.
• Knowledge of Life Cycle Assessment methodologies.
• Familiarity or willingness to learn LCA software and data analysis techniques.
• Independent and structured working approach.
• Proficiency in English (spoken and written).

Studiengangsbereiche

• Geistes- und Sozialwissenschaften
  Sonstige Studienbereiche
• Ingenieurwissenschaften
  Chemieingenieurwesen & Verfahrenstechnik
  Sonstige Studienbereiche
  Production and Operations Management
• Naturwissenschaften und Technik
  Geoökologie
  Sonstige Studienbereiche
• Sonstiges
  Sonstige Studienbereiche
• Wirtschafts- und Rechtswissenschaften
  Sonstige Studienbereiche

Betreuung

Titel, Vorname, Name

Lukas Lazar

Organisationseinheit

ITAS

E-Mail Adresse

lukas.lazar@kit.edu

Link zur eigenen Homepage/Personenseite

Website

Bewerbung per E-Mail

Bewerbungsunterlagen

• Anschreiben
• Lebenslauf
• Transcript of Records

E-Mail Adresse für die Bewerbung
Senden Sie die oben genannten Bewerbungsunterlagen bitte per Mail an lukas.lazar@kit.edu


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