Challenges and opportunities toward a sustainable bio‐based chemical sector in Europe

Author:

Rinke Dias de Souza Nariê1ORCID,Groenestege Marisa2,Spekreijse Jurjen2,Ribeiro Cláudia3,Matos Cristina T.3,Pizzol Massimo4ORCID,Cherubini Francesco1

Affiliation:

1. Industrial Ecology Programme, Department of Energy and Process Engineering Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) Trondheim Norway

2. BTG Biomass Technology Group B.V. (BTG) Enschede The Netherlands

3. A4F—Algae for Future, Campus do Lumiar Lisbon Portugal

4. Department of Sustainability and Planning Aalborg University Aalborg Denmark

Abstract

AbstractThe chemical sector is the fourth largest industry in the European Union (EU) and the second largest chemical producer globally. However, its global share in chemicals sales has declined from 25% two decades ago to around 14% now. The sector, which accounts for 22% of the EU industry's energy demands, faces significant challenges in mitigating climate change, reducing pollution and toxicity, and improving circularity. Biomass, a promising renewable feedstock, currently represents only 3% of the sector's feedstocks. This review explores the opportunities and challenges for a bio‐based chemical sector in the EU, particularly plastics, to improve circularity and contribute to climate neutrality, reduction of pollution and toxicity. It provides an overview of current fossil‐based feedstocks, production processes, country‐specific trends, bio‐based production, and sustainability initiatives. Exploring new feedstocks such as lignin, organic residues, and algae can increase biomass availability toward a circular bioeconomy. Integrating chemicals and plastics production into commercial pulp and power factories, biofuel plants, and the sustainable hydrogen economy could boost the sector. Hydrogen is crucial for reducing biomass's oxygen content. These can ultimately contribute to reduce climate change impacts. Designing novel chemicals and plastics to accommodate biomass's higher oxygen content, reduce toxicity, and enhance biodegradability is essential. However, plastic waste mismanagement cannot be solved by merely replacing fossil feedstocks with biomass. Sustainability initiatives can strengthen and develop a circular bio‐based chemical sector, but better management of bio‐based plastic waste and transparent labeling of bio‐based products are needed. This calls for collaborative efforts among citizens, academia, policymakers, and industry.This article is categorized under: Climate and Environment > Circular Economy Climate and Environment > Net Zero Planning and Decarbonization Emerging Technologies > Materials

Funder

HORIZON EUROPE Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Publisher

Wiley

Reference111 articles.

1. EC. (2018a).A European strategy for plastics in a circular economy.https://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:2df5d1d2-fac7-11e7-b8f5-01aa75ed71a1.0001.02/DOC_1&format=PDF

2. EC. (2019).European Commission Directorate‐General for Research and Innovation.Environmental impact assessments of innovative bio‐based product. Task 1 of “Study on support to R&I policy in the area of bio‐based products and services.” Publications Office.https://doi.org/10.2777/251887

3. European Commission. (2024).Building the future with nature: Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU.https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/document/download/47554adc-dffc-411b-8cd6-b52417514cb3_en

4. IEA. (2022).International Energy Agency.Chemicals.https://www.iea.org/fuels-and-technologies/chemicals

5. PHA-Based Bioplastic: a Potential Alternative to Address Microplastic Pollution

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3