Introduction
Renewable chemicals are those produced from biomass rather than fossil fuel resources like petroleum and natural gas. As concerns grow around the world regarding climate change and our reliance on non-renewable energy sources, recyclable chemicals are emerging as a more sustainable alternative for producing the materials we use every day.
Benefits
Reduced Environmental Impact
One of the primary benefits of recyclable chemicals is their significantly reduced environmental impact compared to petroleum-based chemicals. Recyclable chemicals are made from plant and animal materials that absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, so they do not contribute additional carbon to the atmosphere. This helps mitigate climate change. Producing chemicals from biomass also alleviates pressure on domestic oil reserves and decreases reliance on imported petroleum.
Job Creation and Economic Growth
The recyclable chemical industry supports job growth and economic activity, especially in rural areas where biomass feedstocks are produced and processing facilities are located. Investment in recyclable chemical manufacturing has increased jobs in engineering, construction and plant operations. As the sector expands, it has the potential to revitalize domestic manufacturing and supply chains while strengthening national energy security.
Sustainable Resource Utilization
Instead of drawing finite resources from under the ground, recyclable chemicals leverage the constant renewal of biomass through photosynthesis and the growth of agricultural crops and sustainable forests. This makes them a truly sustainable replacement for petroleum-based chemical production. Their production also makes use of agricultural and forestry byproducts that would otherwise go to waste.
Types of Renewable Chemical Platforms
Sucrose
Sucrose from sugarcane or sugar beets serves as a renewable platform chemical for producing bioplastics, biodegradable Mulch film, and biochemicals. Being hygroscopic it is easily fermented by microbes to produce alcohols like ethanol. Ethanol can then be used to synthesize other commodity chemicals through catalytic chemistry.
Lignocellulose
Wood residues and dedicated energy crops like Switchgrass are rich sources of lignocellulose - a complex polymer of lignin and cellulose. Through hydrolysis and fermentation, lignocellulose can be converted to alcohols and sugars then to a variety of fuels and chemicals. Advancements are being made to reduce the cost of deconstructing lignocellulose at commercial scales.
Terpenes and Isoprenoids
Plant terpenes and related isoprenoid compounds have complex, varied structures that make them valuable building blocks. From pine trees, certain crops or microbial fermentation, terpenes can be used directly as flavors, fragrances or converted to other specialty and commodity chemicals and materials.
Applications and Market Outlook
Fuels and Fuel Additives
As a replacement or blend component for gasoline and diesel, renewable fuels lower transport sector carbon emissions and displace some demand for crude oil. Ethanol, biodiesel, and renewable jet/diesel produced from biomass are growing transportation fuel markets.
Plastics and Fibers
Polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic from cornstarch is a leading renewable replacement for petroleum-based polymers in durable goods manufacturing. Renewable nylon, polyethylene furanoate (PEF) and other biomass-derived chemicals show promise to commercialize. Biobased fibers are renewably sourced alternatives to oil-based textiles.
Solvents, Surfactants and Chemical Intermediates
Biomass-derived alcohols, organic acids and other compounds are being developed as low-carbon solvents and surfactants with a role replacing petrochemicals in various industries from paints to cleaners. Chemical firms also see renewable intermediates as inputs for existing and new product lines.
As industries adopt low-carbon solutions and policymakers align incentives with sustainability goals, global markets for recyclable chemicals could surpass $30 billion annually by 2030 according to some estimates. With further innovation and deployment over the coming decades, recyclable chemicals have the potential to reshape commodity production globally.
The environmental and economic sustainability advantages of recyclable chemicals make them a natural candidate for accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels to a future of abundantly available, low-impact chemical resources grown and replenished locally around the world. Their market development could lessen dependence on imported petroleum while supporting long-term stewardship of soil, air, water resources and climate stability. With continued research and investment, renewable chemicals are poised to start taking over larger shares of major petrochemical markets.
