A circular material value retention framework for agricultural by-product valorisation

Abstract

While valorisation pathways are increasingly promoted as sustainable solutions, their ability to genuinely minimise environmental harm and contribute to long-term material circularity remains uneven. This study systematically identifies and maps existing valorisation routes across the EU and UK, with particular attention to their environmental performance and economic viability through a material value retention lens. A literature review highlights a spectrum of practices—from soil amendment and composting to bioenergy recovery and bio-based construction materials—each offering different sustainability benefits but varying significantly in their capacity to preserve material quality and function. To address the absence of robust comparative approaches, this paper introduces a novel evaluative framework centred on intrinsic material value retention, a key principle in sustainable and circular material systems. Building on established scholarship, the framework provides a structured means of comparing valorisation options based on how effectively they conserve material properties, particularly in terms of the material’s structural and functional values, and enable high-value reuse. Supported by a dedicated classification tool and a set of guiding questions refined through expert interviews, the framework complements existing environmental assessment methods by foregrounding material circularity. In doing so, it supports more integrated, holistic decision-making for the development of a resilient and sustainable circular bioeconomy. This research is intended for academic audiences and may also be of relevance to industry practitioners.