Process Engineering Accelerating an Economic Industrialization Towards a Bio-Based World

Abstract

The transition towards a bio-based world is a challenging undertaking. This perspective paper, from an engineering point of view, aims to provide an overview of existing projects and academic disciplines highlighting the potential benefit of increased interdisciplinary exchanges. Furthermore, the current utilization of biomass to produce biogas is discussed, including an economic assessment, showing the need for new strategies of biomass valorization. One solution could be the development of separation processes for the isolation of secondary plant metabolites, which have been especially valuable for pharmaceutical applications, e.g., taxotere ® and artemisinin. The economic feasibility is demonstrated in a case study, evaluating the purification potential of curcuminoids from Curcuma longa L. Subsequently, the conclusion discusses the limitations of large-scale industrial applications and the need for new separation techniques as a step towards a bio-based world.

Technical Potential for Energy and GWP Reduction in Chemical–Pharmaceutical Industry in Germany and EU—Focused on Biologics and Botanicals Manufacturing

“…By using fresh, undried plant material, 90% of the GWP in carbon dioxide equivalents can be saved [67]. This approach is supported by the development of new business models and the technologies required to achieve them [68].…”

The Journey of Natural Products: From Isolation Stage to Drug’s Approval in Clinical Trials

“…These research optimizations aim to find low-cost raw materials, suppress the production cost, inexpensive but safe drug formulation, limit the side effects, establish a continuous flow production rather than batch process, fasten the production process, and meet a wide consumer diversity [103][104]. This industrial research needs serious and continuous monitoring because small mistakes in the drug production process could lead to fatal health problems in the communities [105]. From the industrial researchers, hundreds of patents are available as the results of industrial research; thus, the same drug compound may have some commercial names due to the unique and special recipe of each industry.…”

Establishment of a Research Focus on Resilient Sustainable Climate Neutral Agricultural Production—Resilient Farming Initiative

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