{"id":59972,"date":"2018-03-06T07:22:46","date_gmt":"2018-03-06T06:22:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/?p=59972"},"modified":"2019-01-20T14:09:24","modified_gmt":"2019-01-20T13:09:24","slug":"welcome-to-the-fourth-roadtobio-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/welcome-to-the-fourth-roadtobio-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"Welcome to the fourth RoadToBio newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dear Reader,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Welcome to the fourth RoadToBio<\/a> newsletter. Our roadmap for increasing the bio-based portfolio and improving the sustainability of the European chemical industry is already shaping up.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In this newsletter we would like to introduce you to a new method for classifying bio-based chemicals under three categories: drop-ins, smart drop-ins and dedicated bio-based chemicals. This classification is based on how the bio-based chemical compares to its fossil-based counterpart, and therefore how it interacts with existing value chains to replace fossil-based chemicals or products. The RoadToBio project and roadmap will benefit from this new classification method, especially considering the large number of diverse and uncategorised bio-based chemicals which will be included and which are likely to require different approaches and market strategies to replace their fossil incumbents.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We hope you enjoy the read and remain with best regards,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mladen Crnomarkovi\u0107<\/strong>
\nE4tech
\nOn behalf of the RoadToBio consortium \u00ad<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Please consider – if not done already – to subscribe<\/a> to the RoadToBio newsletter. \u00ad<\/p>\n

<\/em><\/p>\n

Bio-based drop-in, smart drop-in and dedicated chemicals<\/h3>\n

In 2014 the BIO-TIC<\/a> project introduced the definition of drop-in biochemicals as: chemically identical bio-based versions of petrochemicals which have established markets. In 2017 nova-Institute and their colleagues from the RoadToBio consortium identified a separate sub-category of smart drop-in in biochemicals for which the production pathways have significant advantages compared to their identical fossil-based counterpart, and a third category of bio-based chemicals which do not have an identical fossil-based counterpart (dedicated bio-based chemicals).<\/p>\n

These three categories of bio-based chemicals: drop-ins, smart drop-ins, and dedicated biochemicals; have distinct characteristics, and each integrate in a particular way with existing fossil chemical value chains (Figure 1).<\/p>\n

\"Pathways_bio-basedchemicals\"<\/p>\n

Bio-based drop-ins<\/strong> are defined as chemically identical to their fossil-based counterparts. Therefore bio-based chemicals classed as \u2018drop-ins\u2019 tend to replace high-volume commodity chemicals such as bio-based ethylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, propylene\/polypropylene, methane, etc. It is generally relatively easy to integrate bio-based drop-ins into existing chemical production chains, as existing infrastructure can be used for their distribution and processing. Therefore they can enter value chains at a relatively early stage (Figure 1). Bio-based drop-ins usually offer advantages in their environmental footprint, however, they are often more expensive to produce than their fossil counterparts, presenting a barrier to their uptake.<\/p>\n

Bio-based smart drop-ins<\/strong> are a subset of drop-ins, which have two or more of the following characteristics: high biomass utilisation efficiency, low energy use in their production, short or less complex production pathway, and\/or fewer toxic chemicals used in their production. Smart drop-ins tend to enter the existing fossil chemical value chain at a later stage (Figure 1) as they are likely to be replacing fossil-based chemicals that have undergone several process steps. As a consequence, smart drop-ins will usually be commodities of smaller volume compared to normal drop-ins. Some examples of smart bio-based drop-ins are: epichlorohydrin, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, and succinic acid.<\/p>\n

Dedicated bio-based chemicals<\/strong> do not have a chemically identical fossil-based counterpart. They often cannot be obtained through conventional\/fossil pathways, therefore have their own dedicated production pathway and value chain (Figure 1). Dedicated bio-based chemicals are in general more efficient in utilising not only carbon, but the whole biomass, and avoid breaking down more complex molecules into simpler parts. Examples of dedicated bio-based chemicals include cellulose fibres, itaconic acid, polyhydroxy alkanoates, and furans such as hydroxymethyl furfural, furfural and 2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid.<\/p>\n

To learn more about the new concept for classifications of bio-based chemicals read nova\u2019s full paper on bio-based drop-ins, smart drop-ins and dedicated bio-based chemicals<\/a>.
\n\u00ad \u00ad \u00ad
\n\u00ad<\/p>\n

Join the network<\/h3>\n

We would like to invite you to join us on the journey to a more bio-based chemical industry. The roadmap should contain clear, realistic goals. Your knowledge and experience is necessary to create a market relevant roadmap with a high impact. Therefore, we will conduct workshops and webinars to involve you as stakeholder.<\/p>\n

Your opinion is of utmost importance to us. Through your participation, you get the opportunity to help shape the development process and to find your opinion later in the roadmap.<\/p>\n

How?<\/h3>\n