BIOBASED CHEMICALS

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Organic acids

- Acrylic acid. Publication date: 05/05/2021; last update: 05/05/2021.
- Adipic acid. Publication date: 25/05/2021; last update: 25/05/2021.
- FDCA (2,5-furandicarboxylic acid). Publication date: 15/06/2017; last update: 15/06/2017.
- Glucaric acid. Publication date: 14/12/2015; last update: 24/05/2017.
- Levulinic acid. Publication date: 16/11/2015; last update: 20/02/2016.
- Succinic acid. Publication date: 16/10/2015; last update: 20/12/2015.

Alcohols

- Biobased 1,4-butanediol (BDO). Publication date: 01/06/2021; last update: 01/06/2021.

Biobased Chemical Building Block concept

A Chemical Building Block (CBB) is a molecule which can be converted to various secondary chemicals and intermediates, and, therefore, can give rise to a broad range of different downstream uses. When this molecule derived from biomass, it can be called Biobased Chemical Building Block (BCBB). Green Building Block is other extended name to refer to the same concept. Two types of BCBBs exist: those that are chemically identical to their petrochemical counterparts (drop-in) and those that are completely new and with unique characteristics. The first type can immediately be used in the current industrial infrastructure whereas the second type result in the development of new products. The largest markets for BCBBs are in the production of biobased polymers, lubricants and solvents.

From a chemical perspective, nearly all CBB can be made using renewable raw materials. However, not every process is commercially feasible. The development of biobased chemicals has really taken off over the past decade. There is an existing market for BCBBs but current production is just a fraction of the petrochemical market. The growth is impressive and it is expected that production will increase considerably in the coming years. The development levels varying according to the building block considered and ranging from proof of concept in laboratory to full commercial production.

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Recent news about one of the DOE’s 12 Top Biobased Molecules. Rennovia Inc. and Johnson Matthey Process Technologies announced on July 16 that they have successfully started-up a mini-plant for production of glucaric acid from glucose using jointly developed technology. In March 2014, these companies embarked on a collaboration to develop, demonstrate and commercialize catalytic process technologies for the production of bio-based glucaric acid and adipic acid. Under the collaboration, Rennovia and JM Process Technologies work together in processes based on Rennovia’s technology for the catalytic aerobic oxidation of glucose to glucaric acid and the catalytic hydrogenation of glucaric acid to adipic acid. The final goal of the collaboration is to license a package enabling commercial production of these chemical products. The successful operation of this mini-plant is a major milestone in the journey to achieve this goal. The facility is located at the Johnson Matthey Process ...
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Biorefinery models - Lignocellulosic biorefinery

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Biofuels from algae

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In my opinion, the production of biofuels and biobased chemicals from algae is one of the most fascinating topics in the sector of the biorefineries and it will be one of the niches of opportunity with highest potential in the medium and the long terms. This post pretend to be a very basic approach to the topic Algae-to-Biofuels through three general key points. Algae 1,2,3,4,5 Algae include a wide variety of photosynthetic organisms capable of transforming light, water and specific nutrients into products that can be used with commercial and industrial purposes. We can say that algae are sunlight-driven factories with potential to convert CO 2 into biofuels, high-value biochemical, food and feed. There are four algae cultivation technologies currently in use for commercial algae cultivation and proposed for algal biofuel production: extensive or open ponds, intensive or raceway ponds, closed photobioreactors in many designs and closed fermenter systems. Algal biof...
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Biobased acrylic acid

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Versión en Español Type of post: Fact sheet. Series: Biobased chemicals – Organic acids. Publication date: 05/05/2021. Last update: 05/05/2021. Description - Organic acid with 3 carbon atoms. - It is a clear, colourless, corrosive liquid with a characteristic acrid or tart smell. - Other names: prop-2-enoic acid. Applications - Formation of homopolymers or copolymers which are used in the manufacture of various adhesives, coatings, diapers, detergents, paints, plastics and textiles. The main use of crude acrylic acid is the generation of acrylate esters, followed by the production of polyacrylic acid, used mostly in superabsorbent polymers. - Chemical intermediate in multiple industrial processes. Conventional petrochemical route - Cracking of fossil naphtha to produce propylene / Oxidation of propylene. Main biobased routes - [3-HPA via] Fermentation of sugars to produce 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HPA) / Dehydration of 3-HPA. - [Biobased naphtha via] Cracking of biobased naphth...
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