Chemical Industry

To date, most of industrially produced chemicals are obtained from petroleum-based resources. As continued depletion of finite fossil resources and concerns to the ecological environment, alternative sources and more sustainable resources are imperative as feedstock replacements. Biosynthesis technology has been identified as an alternate to reduce this sector’s dependence on fossil fuel-based resources and to alleviate their environmental impacts. Among them, the biosynthetic platform chemicals market is expected to exhibit strong growth in the next decades. In the chemical industry, biosynthetic chemicals are mainly used in the following areas:

Synthesis of Fine Chemicals

Fine chemicals refer to complex, single, pure chemical substances, produced in limited quantities in multipurpose plants by multistep batch chemical or biotechnological processes. In 2004, the United States Department of Energy published a landmark report titled “Top Value Added Chemicals From Biomass,” in which they highlighted 12 molecules as the most promising platform chemicals that could potentially replace commonly used petroleum-based molecular building blocks. These 12 chemicals and their derivatives ^[1] are listed below.

Fig. 1 Succinic Acid and Derivatives

Fig. 2 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid and Derivatives

Fig. 3 3-Hydroxypropionic Acid and Derivatives

Fig. 4 Aspartic Acid and Derivatives

Fig. 5 Glucaric Acid and Derivatives

Fig. 6 Glutamic Acid and Derivatives

Fig. 7 Itaconic Acid and Derivatives

Fig. 8 Levulinic Acid and Derivatives

Fig. 9 3-Hydroxybutyrolactone and Derivatives

Fig. 10 Glycerol and Derivatives

Fig. 11 Sorbitol and Derivatives

Fig. 12 Xylitol and Derivatives

The 12 biosynthetic platform chemicals would provide prospective routes for everything from biofuels to fewer toxic paints and adhesives and have a bright economic future. In addition to these platform chemicals, more and more biosynthetic chemicals are being used in the production of fine chemicals, such as various amino acids, polyols, organic acids (malonic acid, lactic acid, propionic acid, aconitic acid, etc.), and so on.

Synthesis of Polymers

One of the most commonly used synthesis methods of bio-based polymers is via polymerization of biosynthesized monomers with tailored chemical structures. Following table shows the common bio-based polymers and their monomers.

Polymer	Monomer	Resources
Polylactic acid (PLA)	lactic acid;	sugar, starch, cellulose
Polyamides (PAs)	dicarboxylic acids; diamines; α, ω-amino acids	starch, cellulose, lignin, animal and vegetable oils
Polyurethanes (PUs)	polyols and isocyanate	wood, wheat straw, corn bran, sugar cane, and bamboo and vegetable oils
Polybutylene succinate (PBS)	succinic acid and 1,4-butanedio	glucose, starch, xylose
Epoxy resins	bisphenol A and epichlorohydrin	lignocellulose, glucose, starch, xylose

Alfa Chemistry is a professional supplier of biosynthetic chemicals which can be used in chemical industry, and we supply bio-based polymers as well. We are pleased to work together with our customer to develop the specifically required products. For high quality products, professional technical service, use suggestion and latest industry news, please feel free to contact us.

Reference

T. Werpy and G. Petersen. Top Value Added Chemicals From Biomass. U.S. Department of Energy, 2004.

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