Biofuels and biochemicals are currently centre stage in the on-going scientific and political debate. The prevalent opinion is that
their use can significantly reduce the greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions and primary energy demand along their whole value
chain. This study aims at evaluating the environmental impact in terms of GHGs related to carbon dioxide (CO2) of secondgeneration
sugars (2GSs) production from cardoon residual biomass. Cardoon is a favourable crop in Mediterranean areas for its
adaptation to cold winters and hot summers as well as its abundant yields. 2GSs are essential in the production of bio-BDO, a
high-quality intermediate widely used for producing bioplastics. The whole value chain is considered, from cardoon cultivation
to 2GSs production. Transport of raw materials from field to biorefinery is also included. The approach followed for the
systematic evaluation of the environmental impact is that of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Since the use of sugars is not
considered, a cradle-to-gate analysis is performed. Data on cardoon cultivation refer to a 3-years field experiment conducted at
the ENEA Trisaia Research Centre and concern the use of seeding material, fertilizers, water and fuel. Residual biomass is not
the only product derived from cardoon cultivation, hence an energy-based allocation procedure is adopted. Transport of raw
materials occurs with a 40 t truck on a reference distance of 30 km. A biorefinery plant for 2GSs production is designed. It treats
60,000 t/y residual biomass and returns almost 20,000 t/y sugars. The sustainability of the value chain is measured in terms of
kgCO2eq per kg of 2GSs produced. Primary energy demand is computed. Results show that GHGs emissions associated to 1 kg of
produced sugars is equal to 5.33 kgCO2eq. The overall installed power amounts to 1,370 kW. As regard electrical and thermal
energy, the whole production process demands about 7,890 MWh/y and 191,802 MWh/y respectively. The work falls within the
scope of the Rebiochem® Project funded by the Italian Ministry of Education and Research and coordinated by Novamont S.p.A.