From Bovine Bone Waste to Value-Added Resources: Opportunities for Circular Bioeconomy in the Meat Industry

The meat industry generates substantial volumes of by-products that are often underutilized despite their potential to support more sustainable and resource-efficient production systems. Among these by-products, bovine bones represent a valuable source of organic and mineral compounds that can be transformed into higher-value products through circular bioeconomy strategies. This study aimed to identify and analyze valorization pathways for bovine bone by-products within the meat industry through a systematic literature review. A PRISMA-based methodology was applied to identify relevant studies published between 2020 and 2025. Scientific articles addressing circular economy approaches, waste valorization, meat processing by-products, and bovine bone applications were screened and evaluated according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The studies were selected for qualitative analysis. The reviewed literature revealed a wide range of valorization routes for bovine bones, including the production of biofertilizers, hydroxyapatite-based materials, bioceramics, adsorbents for wastewater treatment, biochar, biofuels, and collagen-derived products. The results also highlighted the role of emerging technologies in the area - such as pyrolysis, calcination, hydrothermal processing, enzymatic hydrolysis, and industrial symbiosis- schemes in enhancing resource recovery and value creation. Beyond their environmental benefits, these approaches may contribute to increased resource efficiency, diversification of industrial outputs, and improved competitiveness within the meat sector. The findings suggest that bovine bones should be viewed not merely as residual waste streams but as strategic resources capable of supporting circular bioeconomy initiatives. For meat-producing countries such as Paraguay, the adoption of valorization strategies could foster innovation, strengthen sustainability performance, and create new opportunities for value-added production. Future research should focus on the technical, economic, and logistical challenges associated with scaling these solutions within industrial supply chains.