Search

The use of biomass, bio-waste and CO2 derived raw materials, the latter synthesized using H2 produced using renewable energy sources, opens new scenarios to develop a sustainable and low carbon chemical production, particularly in regions such as Europe lacking in other resources. This tutorial review discusses first this new scenario with the aim to point out, between the different possible options, those more relevant to enable this new future scenario for the chemical production, commenting in particular the different drivers (economic, technological and strategic, environmental and sustainability and socio-political) which guide the selection. The case of the use of non-fossil fuel based raw materials for the sustainable production of light olefins is discussed in more detail, but the production of other olefins and polyolefins, of drop-in intermediates and other platform molecules are also analysed. The final part discusses the role of catalysis in establishing this new scenario, summarizing the development of catalysts with respect to industrial targets, for (i) the production of light olefins by catalytic dehydration of ethanol and by CO2 conversion via FTO process, (ii) the catalytic synthesis of butadiene from ethanol, butanol and butanediols, and (iii) the catalytic synthesis of HMF and its conversion to 2,5-FDCA, adipic acid, caprolactam and 1,6-hexanediol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The evolving scenario for future biorefineries is presented. [•] Biorefineries for producing olefins from biomass is one of the cases discussed. [•] Biorefineries for producing intermediates for chemical production are analyzed. [•] An example of integrated solar biorefinery approach is given. [•] Status and challenges of catalysis for these future biorefineries are presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The large interest on a bio-based economy has stimulated a fast growing R&D on the 2nd generation processes for converting lignocellulosic biomass, but it is still often difficult to have a comprehensive picture of the different possibilities and routes, and especially of the critical factors for selecting one route over the competing ones. This perspective review analyses these aspects, with focus on the identification of the critical elements for the evaluation of the different routes, providing at the same time an update on the main trends and tendencies in R&D in this field. The focus is on the catalytic transformation of lignocellulosic materials. After a short introduction, two main aspects are discussed: (i) the socio-political context and the eco-impact of biofuels, and (ii) how to utilize the biomass in a sustainable perspective. The final part of the review uses the concepts developed in the first part to discuss a new vision for converting lignocellulosic raw materials in an integrated chemo-catalytic biorefinery. Aspects highlighted regards in particular the problem of depolimerization/hydrolysis of cellulose and the different possibilities to convert the products formed (sugars and furfurals) to biofuels and chemicals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]