Biodegradable\nPlastic Production: Economic and Environmental\nPerspective

The growing use of plastics is significantly impacting\nthe environment,\nresulting in contamination of our surroundings and food chain with\nplastic particles, as well as increasing carbon emissions. In this\ncontext, the development of biodegradable plastic materials is important\nto promote a more sustainable world with a reduced environmental footprint.\nThis study aims to develop a sustainable coproduction process for\nthe biodegradable plastic monomers, 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO) and adipic\nacid, from renewable feedstock, lignocellulose biomass. The economic\nand greenhouse gas emissions footprint aspects of the process are\nmaximized by utilizing three major components of biomass (cellulose,\nhemicellulose, and lignin) via efficient fractionation and catalytic\nconversion. In addition, the energy requirements are significantly\nreduced by optimizing heat integration through pinch analysis. Techno-economic\nanalysis and life cycle assessment are conducted to evaluate the economic\nand environmental benefits. The minimum selling price of bio-based\n1,4-BDO is calculated to be $2,126/metric ton, which is lower than\nthe market price of fossil-based 1,4-BDO of $2,500/metric ton. In\naddition, sensitivity analysis is conducted to identify the impact\nof key factors on product prices. Life cycle assessment indicates\nthat the bio-based production process is more environmentally sustainable\nthan the conventional fossil-based production.