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Terephthalic acid from renewable sources: early-stage sustainability analysis of a bio-PET precursor
- Source :
- Green Chemistry. 21:885-896
- Publication Year :
- 2019
- Publisher :
- Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), 2019.
-
Abstract
- The present work was performed because of the paramount importance of terephthalic acid (PTA) in the current chemical industry. It represents the missing element for the production of 100% bio-PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and has a market with continuous growth. The other monomer, monoethylene glycol (MEG), is already widely available from renewable sources. Considering the wide relevance, not only scientific but also social, covered by the possibility of producing one of the most frequently used polymers from renewable sources, this analysis is aimed at the environmental assessment of alternative routes for the production of PTA. In order to do this, the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology was adopted as a scientific tool which is able to estimate the environmental performance of three pathways from different renewable sources, comparing the results with the traditional technology. An early stage approach was used by comparing different scenarios with two independent methods: CED (cumulative energy demand) and ReCiPe. The results prove that the bio-routes to PTA could be very competitive, in particular, if organic waste streams are converted into raw materials for the production of building blocks. On the other hand, the adoption of dedicated crops has some limitations and it seems not to be the right solution to mitigate climate change by reducing fossil sources.
- Subjects :
- Life Cycle Assessment, Terephthalic Acid, Green Chemistry
010405 organic chemistry
business.industry
Biodegradable waste
Chemical industry
Raw material
010402 general chemistry
01 natural sciences
Pollution
0104 chemical sciences
Renewable energy
Sustainability
Environmental Chemistry
Production (economics)
Environmental science
Environmental impact assessment
Biochemical engineering
business
Life-cycle assessment
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 14639270 and 14639262
- Volume :
- 21
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Green Chemistry
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....e43c27cf726e6989bb005f1505eec7d0