Avantium N.V, a leading technology company in renewable chemistry, has published Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data for its plantMPG\u2122 (plant-based mono-propylene glycol) from its Ray Technology\u2122: a chemical intermediate used in a variety of applications including in functional fluids and unsaturated polyester resins. The ISO-certified LCA for plantMPG\u2122 shows a significant improvement of up to 81% in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the full life cycle when Avantium\u2019s plantMPG\u2122 is compared with its incumbents.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Avantium partnered with Sphera to perform a cradle-to-grave LCA for plantMPG\u2122, produced with its Ray Technology\u2122 from sucrose derived from Dutch sugar beet. The LCA takes into account wastewater treatment as the end-of-life for plantMPG\u2122[i]<\/sup><\/a>. Avantium\u2019s plantMPG\u2122 is compared to incumbent MPG production routes from fossil raw materials (naphtha- and shale-derived propylene) and renewable raw materials (soy- and rapeseed-derived glycerine). For the plantMPG\u2122 production process, electricity from wind power, green hydrogen based on wind power and thermal energy from natural gas was assumed[ii]<\/sup><\/a>. The plantMPG\u2122 LCA study has been conducted according to the guidelines of ISO 14040\/14044 and has been reviewed by an external independent critical review panel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The impact on climate change of plantMPG\u2122 is significantly lower, with 50% to 81% lower GHG emissions, compared to fossil-based and biobased incumbents[iii]<\/sup><\/a>. The climate change reduction for plantMPG\u2122 is largely driven by the use of plant-based feedstock (sugar beet) and the resulting biogenic nature, with the carbon being absorbed and stored by the sugar beets and re-entering the natural carbon cycle at the end of life of plantMPG\u2122. Furthermore, the non-renewable primary energy demand of plantMPG\u2122 is significantly lower (-41% to -82%) compared to other fossil and renewable MPG alternatives. PlantMPG\u2122 also outperforms all incumbent MPG technologies in water use (-13% to -99%). <\/p>\n\n\n\n “The LCA clearly demonstrates the potential of Avantium’s plantMPG\u2122 to help reducing global warming. As 100% plant-based intermediate, plantMPG\u2122 entails a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to its alternatives. This accommodates the global need to transition to climate neutrality and a green future\u201d, says Math Lambalk, Business Development Manager at Avantium Renewable Chemistries and responsible for the plantMPG\u2122 LCA. <\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n