From bio-based furanics to biodegradable plastics

Review Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

Bioplastics for a circular economy

Jan-Georg Rosenboom et al.

Summary: Bioplastics have the potential to contribute to a more sustainable and circular economy by reducing carbon footprint and offering advantageous material properties. However, they also face challenges such as negative agricultural impacts, competition with food production, unclear end-of-life management, and higher costs. Emerging chemical and biological methods can enable the upcycling of plastic waste into higher-quality materials. Standardization and guidelines are needed to guide purchasing choices, and clear regulations and financial incentives are essential for the large-scale adoption of bioplastics in a truly sustainable manner.

NATURE REVIEWS MATERIALS (2022)

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Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Selective and stable upgrading of biomass-derived furans into plastic monomers by coupling homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis

Zelun Zhao et al.

Summary: In this study, a sustainable approach to produce valuable hydroxyalkanoates from cellulose-derived furans via coupling homogeneous carbonylation and heterogeneous hydrogenation was demonstrated. The use of 8Ni/CeO2 catalyst in the hydrogenation reaction showed high selectivity and stability.

CHEM (2022)

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Review Chemistry, Physical

Catalytic Transformation of the Furfural Platform into Bifunctionalized Monomers for Polymer Synthesis

Jinlian Zhu et al.

Summary: Furfural, derived from raw agricultural materials, has limited market volume due to its mono-functional furan structure. However, exploration of new catalytic technologies to transform furfural into versatile bifunctional monomers may open up furfural-based biomass utilization and reduce concerns about carbon source scarcity. Development of bifunctional monomers from the furfural platform can potentially boost furfural-based hemicellulose utilization.

ACS CATALYSIS (2021)

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Review Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Sustainable production of pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and bioactive compounds from biomass and waste

Claudia Espro et al.

Summary: This tutorial review provides a general overview of processes, technologies, and challenges in producing pharmaceutical and bioactive compounds from food waste and lignocellulosic residues, with a focus on environmentally sustainable processes and novel green synthetic routes. Recent successful industrial applications of using food waste and lignocellulosic residues for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical purposes are also discussed.

CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS (2021)

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Review Chemistry, Multidisciplinary