Regarding sustainability, a thorough understanding of not only environmental-related aspects, but also the broader sustainability dimensions of bioproducts development, such as economic and social is needed. Thus, the following four focus analysis areas can be defined: environmental, techno-economic, social, and cross-cutting sustainability.

The research strategies for the environmental analysis encompass comprehensive assessment of the environmental implications of bioproducts development, and understanding their potential for achieving environmental goals. Here, the climate-change related impacts of bio-based production technologies in meeting the climate mitigation challenge are considered. Issues related to methods for assessment of the environmental impacts are also considered.

Conceptual Design and TEA of biorefineries and biomass conversion processes and Metrics for assessing the economic sustainability of the processes are the two major research trends. Topics, such as profitability analysis and development of supply chain models and optimisation of economic performance along the production chain are considered.

The public's perception/acceptance of bio-based products development and application, including which factors, strategies or policies may play a role is an important social aspect that needs better understanding.

An overall sustainability assessment should cover the economic, social and environmental pillars and identify potential synergies/compromises between these dimensions. The cross-cutting sustainability analysis as a research strategy that addresses the bio-based products development through questions such as socio-economic impacts, links with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's), role in the Circular Economy. Finally, the political and regulatory framework for bio-based products development in Europe is also considered.