About Bio-based Chemicals:
- Bio-based chemicals are industrial chemicals produced using biological feedstocks like sugarcane, corn, starch or biomass residues.
- These are often produced through fermentation or enzymatic processes.
- Examples: Organic acids (such as lactic acid), bio-alcohols, solvents, surfactants, and intermediates used in plastics, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
- Unlike conventional chemicals, for which the largely available supplies are obtained through sources of fossil fuel, bio-based alternatives reflect a sustainable solution.
- Ecological Benefits of the Bio-Based Chemicals:
- The bio-based industry reduces reliance on fossil fuels by applying renewable feedstocks.
- Low production of harmful byproducts: Biobased methods generate much lower amounts of hazardous waste than the conventional petroleum-based methodologies.
- Reduced Carbon Footprint: The production of biochemicals generally requires less energy than their corresponding petroleum-based equivalents.
- Waste Minimization and Circular Economy: With bio-based chemicals mostly coming from organic waste resources, development of the circular economy will be based on recycling, efficiency in the use of resources.
- Challenges and Risks:
- Cost Disadvantage: Higher production cost compared to petrochemical alternative, which creates entry level barrier.
- Feedstock: Availability of reliable feedstocks and supporting infrastructure required to produce different categories of bio-based chemicals at scale.
- Market Adoption: Uncertainty about adapting bio-based chemicals as substitute over fossil fuel based chemicals.
