Valorization of corn cob waste for furfural production: A circular economy approach

The depletion of fossil fuel reserves and escalating environmental issues necessitate a shift to renewable energy. Agricultural residues like corn cobs offer a sustainable and cost-effective alternative. This study introduces an innovative one-pot hydrothermal process for converting corn cob biomass into furfural , a versatile platform chemical. Utilizing dimethyl carbonate (DMC) as a green solvent, the process achieves an exceptional furfural yield of 93.26 % at 120 °C within 2 h, significantly surpassing conventional methods. This approach aligns with circular economy principles by transforming agricultural waste into valuable chemicals while minimizing environmental impact. The method's scalability and alignment with Indonesia's National Energy Policy highlight its industrial potential. The findings underscore advancements in green chemistry and offer a practical pathway for sustainable industrial applications. • Hydrothermal process with DMC boosts biomass reactivity and furfural yield. • Circular economy principles drive waste reduction and resource efficiency. • The method supports Indonesia's National Energy Policy for sustainable energy. • Furfural is a key platform chemical for biofuel production. • Optimized conditions (120 °C for 2 h) yield 93.26 % furfural, surpassing traditional methods.