The role of deep eutectic solvent recycling on crystalline nanocellulose production from oil palm empty fruit bunch: A techno-economic viability and life cycle assessment study

Sustainable nanocellulose production, particularly cellulose nanocrystal (CNC), has been explored using oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs). However, an in-depth investigation into the role of solvent recovery is crucial to ensure the long-term sustainability, efficiency, and environmental viability of CNC production. This study investigates the role of DES recovery in enhancing the techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) of CNC production. The solvent recovered significantly reduced the production cost per unit from $4.75/kg to $3.56/kg and improved key economic indicators. Sensitivity analysis confirmed economic robustness even with 50 % increase in chemical and electricity costs. Environmentally, DES recovery lowered the global warming potential (GWP) from 64 to 18 kg CO 2 -eq per kg of CNC while reducing other impacts such as ecotoxicity, acidification, eutrophication, human toxicity, and ozone depletion. The LCA served as a pathway to improved carbon accounting, integration into carbon trading, and broader decarbonization strategies are discussed in the future outlook. These findings underscore not only the potential of DES recovery and its recyclability for CNC production from biomass waste but also contribute as a key enabler of decarbonization efforts in industrial sectors, contributing to long-term climate resilience and circular economy strategies. • A holistic CNC production with solvent recovery scenario coupled with TEA and LCA. • Solvent recovery significantly reduced CNC production costs. • Solvent recovery resulted in lowering GWP of 18 kg CO 2 -eq/kg CNC. • TEA and LCA result as carbon accounting contributed to decarbonization strategy. • Solvent recovery facilitated circular economy and carbon trading for CNC industry.