Advancing Bioresource Utilization to Incentivize a Sustainable Bioeconomy: A Systematic Review and Proposal of the Enhanced Bioresource Utilization Index

Abstract

Over 15 billion tonnes year−1 of biomass is used globally, yet 14% is downcycled for energy, forfeiting billions in potential revenue for higher-value products. Robust metrics that couple cascading use with cradle-to-gate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and economic value are essential for identifying superior biomass pathways. The aim of this review is to systematically map biomass utilization indicators published between 2010 and 2025; compare their treatment regarding circularity, climate, and economic value; and introduce the enhanced Bioresource Utilization Index (eBUI). A PRISMA-aligned search of Scopus and Web of Science yielded 80,808 records, of which 33 met the eligibility criteria. Each indicator was scored on cascading, data intensity, and environmental and economic integration, as well as computational complexity and sector scope. The Material Circularity Indicator, Biomass Utilization Efficiency, the Biomass Utilization Factor, and legacy BUI satisfied no more than two criteria simultaneously, and none directly linked mass flows to both GHG emissions and net revenue. The eBUI concept integrates mass balance, lifecycle carbon intensity, and value coefficients into a single 0–1 score. An open-access calculator and data quality checklist accompany the metric, enabling policymakers and industry to prioritize biomass pathways that are circular, climate-smart, and economically attractive.