Feasibility of wood as a renewable carbon feedstock for the production of chemicals in Europe

Abstract

In transitioning to a carbon‐neutral chemical industry, the intake of fossil feedstocks will have to be reduced by maximizing end‐of‐life product recycling and introducing alternative feedstocks based on renewable carbon. This perspective article analyses the potential of domestically grown and sourced woody biomass for the supply of renewable carbon for chemicals in Europe. The European chemical industry can become a major consumer of woody biomass in a context where burning wood for energy production is viewed as an unsustainable practice.

Challenges and Opportunities for Gamma-Valerolactone in Biomass Pretreatment

“…In the recent years, the motivation of the shift toward platform chemicals has become increasingly apparent. The potential of wood for the production of chemicals in Europe has demonstrated that higher carbon efficiencies (>65%) and mass efficiencies (>60%) can be achieved for biomass-to-oxygenated-chemicals conversion relative to hydrocarbon pathway . To enable the widespread production of biomass-derived fuels and chemicals, lignocellulosic biomass as successor of oil, sugar, and starch crops must be converted with an eye toward their maximum utilization .…”

“…The potential of wood for the production of chemicals in Europe has demonstrated that higher carbon efficiencies (>65%) and mass efficiencies (>60%) can be achieved for biomass-to-oxygenated-chemicals conversion relative to hydrocarbon pathway. 3 To enable the widespread production of biomass-derived fuels and chemicals, lignocellulosic biomass as successor of oil, sugar, and starch crops must be converted with an eye toward their maximum utilization. 4 Lignocellulosebased biorefineries, therefore, employ several thermochemical or biochemical conversions or catalytic processes.…”