Critical review of life cycle assessment of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles: A lifespan perspective

https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2021/GC/D1GC02082J

Recommendations for replacing PET on packaging, fiber, and film materials with biobased counterparts

Biobased polymers and materials are desperately needed to replace fossil-based materials in the world’s transition to a more sustainable lifestyle. In this article, Avantium describes the path from invention towards commercialization of their YXY® plants-to-plastics Technology, which catalytically converts plant-based sugars into FDCA—the chemical building block for PEF (polyethylene furanoate). PEF is a plant-based, highly recyclable plastic, with superior performance properties compared to today’s widely used petroleum-based packaging materials. The myriad of topics that must be addressed in the process of bringing a new monomer and polymer to market are discussed, including process development and application development, regulatory requirements, IP protection, commercial partnerships, by-product valorisation, life cycle assessment (LCA), recyclability and circular economy fit, and end-of-life. Advice is provided for others considering embarking on a similar journey, as well as an outlook on the next, exciting steps towards large-scale production of FDCA and PEF at Avantium’s Flagship Plant and beyond.

/pdf/the-road-to-bring-fdca-and-pef-to-the-market-28trgl7s.pdf

The Road to Bring FDCA and PEF to the Market

Biobased furans, such as furfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, are recognized as the top-value platform chemicals in the valorization of biomass to chemicals, fuels, and materials. Biocatalysis has emerged as a promising technique in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries because of exquisite selectivity, mild reaction conditions, environmental friendliness, etc. In this comprehensive review, we summarize the recent advances in (chemo)biocatalytic conversion of biobased furans, based on the reaction types including oxidation, reduction, C–C and C–N bonds formation, esterification, and amidation. Particularly, the biocatalysts and their catalytic mechanisms/pathways are critically discussed to allow the rational design and construction of efficient enzymes/multienzyme systems/chemobiocatalytic systems. Besides, various biocatalyst engineering and reaction engineering strategies are highlighted to intensify the processes. Future research directions are proposed to expand the chemical space of furans as well as to improve the commercial acceptance of biocatalytic processes. 

(Chemo)biocatalytic Upgrading of Biobased Furanic Platforms to Chemicals, Fuels, and Materials: A Comprehensive Review

Physical vapor deposition of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) films on biomass substrate: optoelectronic performance evaluation and life cycle assessment

Shaun Elgie

Papers

Production of HMF, FDCA and their derived products: a review of life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA) studies