AA Amino acid hSer homoSerine Aaa α-aminoadipic acid hSerCN Hydroxypropionitrile AaaCN 4-cyanobutanoic acid Km Michaelis constant Aba α-aminobutanoic acid Maa β-methyl aspartic acid AbaCN propionitrile MCD Monochlorodimedone ABTS 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzo thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) Me,-CH3 MeAsp Methyl group Aspartic acid β-methyl ester AOX Alcohol oxidase MeAspCN Methyl 2-cyanoacetate Asp Aspartic acid MeGlu Glutamic acid γ-methyl ester AspCN 2-cyanopropanoic acid MeGluCN Methyl 3-cyanopropanoate Br Bromine N Nitrogen C Carbon Na Sodium ca. circa NaBr Sodium bromide Cl Chlorine NaCl Sodium chloride CN Nitrile, nitrile functionality short term these measures are reducing the amount of single-use plastics to a certain extent. On the long term, it creates awareness among the users, 3 and it allows the development and marketing of alternatives such as compostable plastics. 4 However, behind the scenes issues related to plastics, and to chemicals in general, are not solved by the phasing-out measures. These behind the scenes issues relate to the way chemicals are produced. While the use of chemicals facilitates and simplifies our lives, their production from fossil resources and their use have unforeseen consequences such as pollution, geopolitical tensions, and climate change. 5 2014. 16 However, about half of the GHG emissions of the energy sector is actually generated due to the energy consumption in the industrial sector. This makes the industrial sector the major producer of GHG with 32% (21% + 11%). Therefore, it is sensible that mitigation strategies in the industrial sector will be the most beneficial against global warming. These mitigation strategies require the reduction of GHG and the enhancement of sinks for GHG by the development of sustainable processes. A classic example for a drop-in chemical is the production of ethylene 22 from biomass derived ethanol. The production of bioethanol used as fuel initiated the food vs fuel debate 23 which concerns the diversion of farmland for biofuels production to the detriment of the food supply. However, in the context of a sustainable economy, each component of biomass would be used at its highest value satisfying the need for both food and chemicals. 1.2.2 Biobased chemicals All organisms are genetically programmed to grow and develop to pass along their genes. For this, the organism must synthesise highly specialised components starting from simple 1.2.3 Nitrogen in nature, agriculture and industry Nitrogen is an essential element for living organisms as it is part of proteins, DNA, RNA, coenzymes (e.g. nicotine amide dinucleotide), etc. but also for the production of chemicals with special properties, e.g. ABS. Remarkably, ~78% of our atmosphere is composed of N2, however, this is an inert gas and only some organisms (bacteria and archaea) can make direct use of it by nitrogen fixation. 36 Nitrogen fixation in nature is done with the help of nitrogenases. 36 Nitrogenases are metalloenzymes (Fe-Mo or Fe-V) able to bind N2 and convert it to ammonium salts whi...