Evaluation of 1,3‐propanediol and lactic acid production via the biotechnological route: Technoeconomic and environmental analysis

Abstract 1,3‐Propanediol (1,3‐PDO) and lactic acid (LA) are valuable chemical products that can be used as monomers for synthesizing important polymers such as polytrimethylene terephthalate and poly(lactic acid), respectively. In this study, a new integrated process for the production of 1,3‐PDO and LA from renewable feedstocks is proposed and analyzed using modeling and simulation tools. Limosilactobacillus reuteri was selected for this application due to its capability to co‐ferment both glycerol and glucose, resulting in the production of 1,3‐PDO, LA, and other byproducts. A conceptual process was developed and simulated using Aspen Plus software, focusing on the bioreactor, multistage evaporation, and vacuum distillation for separation. The bioreactor was designed using a kinetic model that had been developed previously, which was validated with experimental data. A technoeconomic and environmental analysis was conducted, along with a multi‐criteria analysis using the GREENSCOPE methodology. The proposed process was compared with a study from the literature that reproduced metrics of a commercial 1,3‐PDO production process, providing a benchmark for evaluation. The results of the economic assessment, particularly in the Brazilian market, estimate the minimal selling prices at US$6.70/kg for 1,3‐PDO and US$5.49/kg for LA. Overall, the proposed process presents a potential technical solution for integrated LA and 1,3‐PDO production; however, further studies should focus on increasing L. reuteri tolerance to higher substrate concentrations and developing low‐cost culture media to ensure process sustainability.