{"id":183376,"date":"2026-11-09T07:20:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-09T06:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/?p=183376"},"modified":"2026-11-03T13:38:50","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T12:38:50","slug":"korea-research-institute-of-chemical-technology-turns-waste-sawdust-into-99-pure-pet-alternative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/korea-research-institute-of-chemical-technology-turns-waste-sawdust-into-99-pure-pet-alternative\/","title":{"rendered":"Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology turns waste sawdust into 99% pure PET alternative"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology and POSTECH developed a process making 99% pure FDCA from sawdust.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A three-step route converts cellulose to FDCA, cutting high pressure and complex purification while boosting yield.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The process emits far less CO<sub>2 <\/sub>and uses fewer fossil resources than sugar routes, with commercialization aimed after 2030.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"454\" src=\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2026\/11\/dd141f97b40f2d06f3f74e66f4497267.jpg\" alt=\"Researcher Lee Ma-eum at KRICT shows the finished plastic feedstock (FDCA)\" class=\"wp-image-183386\" style=\"width:601px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2026\/11\/dd141f97b40f2d06f3f74e66f4497267.jpg 680w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2026\/11\/dd141f97b40f2d06f3f74e66f4497267-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2026\/11\/dd141f97b40f2d06f3f74e66f4497267-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2026\/11\/dd141f97b40f2d06f3f74e66f4497267-400x267.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Researcher Lee Ma-eum at KRICT shows the finished plastic feedstock (FDCA). \u00a9 KRICT<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>A Korean research team has improved a production process that converts wood sawdust into plastic feedstock, successfully producing bio-plastic feedstock with a purity of over 99% while reducing high-pressure reaction and purification steps.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) announced on the 1st that a team led by Principal Researcher Hwang Dong-won at the Chemical Process Research Division, together with Professor Han Ji-hoon\u2019s group at POSTECH, has developed a process that converts non-edible biomass into\u00a0&#8216;2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA)&#8217;. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S1385894726085050\">The research results were published on August 22 in the international journal\u00a0&#8216;<em>Chemical Engineering Journal&#8217;<\/em>.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>FDCA is a bio-based chemical that can replace terephthalic acid (PTA), a petroleum-derived plastic feedstock. When FDCA is combined with ethylene glycol, it forms polyethylene furanoate (PEF), which can replace polyethylene terephthalate (PET) used in conventional plastic bottles. It can be used not only for food and beverage packaging but also in textile fibers for clothing and various consumer goods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Currently, commercialized FDCA production technologies mainly use fructose or sugar derived from corn as feedstock. Because they rely on edible resources, concerns have been raised about competition with food production. Research using waste wood has also been conducted, but cellulose, the main component of wood, has a rigid structure that is difficult to break down, and intermediate compounds produced during the reaction are prone to degradation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some existing processes use highly concentrated hydrochloric acid and chlorinated solvents, requiring sealed equipment that can withstand high pressure. They also need separate steps to isolate and purify intermediates, which makes it difficult to apply the technology to large-scale production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The research team developed a three-step process that sequentially converts cellulose into the intermediates 5-bromomethylfurfural (BMF) and 5-acetoxymethylfurfural (AMF), and then ultimately produces FDCA. The key is to eliminate high-pressure reactions in the first step and minimize the separation and purification of intermediates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, by using sulfuric acid and bromide salts, the team succeeded in converting cellulose to BMF even under atmospheric pressure. In this step, they used two immiscible liquids, like water and oil. The generated BMF is rapidly transferred into the organic solvent phase, suppressing its decomposition and the formation of unwanted by-products.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"454\" src=\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2026\/11\/465b486b3bd11cd26a5f85aafa2385b3.jpg\" alt=\"From left: feedstocks (sawdust, cellulose, pulp pieces), intermediates (BMF, AMF), and the final plastic feedstock (FDCA). \" class=\"wp-image-183385\" style=\"width:626px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2026\/11\/465b486b3bd11cd26a5f85aafa2385b3.jpg 680w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2026\/11\/465b486b3bd11cd26a5f85aafa2385b3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2026\/11\/465b486b3bd11cd26a5f85aafa2385b3-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2026\/11\/465b486b3bd11cd26a5f85aafa2385b3-400x267.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">From left: feedstocks (sawdust, cellulose, pulp pieces), intermediates (BMF, AMF), and the final plastic feedstock (FDCA). \u00a9 KRICT<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Through this approach, the yield of BMF from cellulose was increased to a maximum of 82%. Productivity was more than three times higher than similar processes previously reported, and the use of halogen-based substances was reduced to less than one-thirtieth compared with conventional hydrochloric-acid-based processes. Yields of 73\u201379% were achieved even in a 10 L-scale reactor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the next step, BMF was continuously converted to AMF at room temperature, 25\u00a0\u00b0C. Passing the reaction mixture through a 1 L-scale reactor just once yielded more than 95%. Finally, without additional high-purity purification of AMF, the team oxidized it to produce FDCA with a purity of over 99%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Considering the entire process, the final mass-based yield of FDCA was up to 56.8% based on cellulose and 45.5% based on wood sawdust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Based on process simulation, the team carried out a life cycle assessment. They found that greenhouse gas emissions associated with producing 1\u00a0kg of FDCA were 2.77\u00a0kg CO<sub>2<\/sub>-equivalent. This is about 60% lower than the 6.91\u00a0kg CO<sub>2<\/sub>-equivalent from conventional processes using edible sugars. The use of fossil resources was also reduced by 47.9%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additional validation is required before the process can be applied to real industrial settings. Currently, some steps have only been individually validated in 10 L and 1 L reactors. A large-scale continuous process that links all stages\u2014from feedstock input to final product\u2014must be established, and long-term operational stability and economic feasibility must be confirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In cooperation with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the research team is preparing a demonstration plant project that aims for an annual production capacity of more than 1,000 tons (t). Commercialization is expected to be possible sometime after 2030, when this project is completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hwang, the principal researcher, said, &#8220;This achievement lies in improving the efficiency of each process step for producing plastic feedstock using lignocellulosic biomass instead of edible resources.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reference<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:9px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S1385894726085050\">doi.org\/10.1016\/j.cej.2026.181043<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"454\" src=\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2026\/11\/f7f0cff8514e9f11b9bda5c4299b2ebc.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-183384\" style=\"width:580px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2026\/11\/f7f0cff8514e9f11b9bda5c4299b2ebc.jpg 680w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2026\/11\/f7f0cff8514e9f11b9bda5c4299b2ebc-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2026\/11\/f7f0cff8514e9f11b9bda5c4299b2ebc-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2026\/11\/f7f0cff8514e9f11b9bda5c4299b2ebc-400x267.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">From bottom left clockwise: POSTECH PhD candidate Kwon Ki-hyeon, PhD candidate Yoo Ji-yoon, Professor Han Ji-hoon, KRICT Principal Researcher Kim Ji-hoon, Principal Researcher Eom In-yong, Researcher Lee Ma-eum, Principal Researcher Hwang Dong-won. \u00a9 KRICT<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Korean research team has improved a production process that converts wood sawdust into plastic feedstock, successfully producing bio-plastic feedstock with a purity of over 99% while reducing high-pressure reaction and purification steps. The Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) announced on the 1st that a team led by Principal Researcher Hwang Dong-won at [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":183386,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","nova_meta_subtitle":"Wood-based FDCA process cuts greenhouse gases by about 60 percent","footnotes":""},"categories":[5572],"tags":[16380,22614,5847,6162,11761,14007,18748],"supplier":[16318,1102],"class_list":["post-183376","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bio-based","tag-biobased","tag-biofeedstocks","tag-bioplastics","tag-cellulose","tag-fdca","tag-pet","tag-sawdust","supplier-national-research-council-of-science-technology-korea","supplier-pohang-university-of-science-and-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183376","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/59"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=183376"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183376\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":183424,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183376\/revisions\/183424"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/183386"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=183376"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=183376"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=183376"},{"taxonomy":"supplier","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/supplier?post=183376"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}