Green Chemistry, Biocatalysis, and the Chemical Industry of the Future

In the movement to decarbonize our economy and move away from fossil fuels we will need to harness the waste products of our activities, such as waste lignocellulose, methane, and carbon dioxide. Our wastes need to be integrated into a circular economy where used products are recycled into a manufacturing carbon cycle. Key to this will be the recycling of plastics at the resin and monomer levels. Biotechnology is well suited to a future chemical industry that must adapt to widely distributed and diverse biological chemical feedstocks. Our increasing mastery of biotechnology is allowing us to develop enzymes and organisms that can synthesize a widening selection of desirable bulk chemicals, including plastics, at commercially viable productivities. Integration of bioreactors with electrochemical systems will permit new production opportunities with enhanced productivities and the advantage of using a low-carbon electricity from renewable and sustainable sources.

Automated summary

In the movement towards decarbonization, the integration of waste into a circular economy and the recycling of plastics at different levels, such as resin and monomer, is crucial. Biotechnology plays a significant role in developing enzymes and organisms that can synthesize various desired bulk chemicals, including plastics. By integrating bioreactors with electrochemical systems and utilizing low-carbon electricity from renewable sources, new production opportunities with enhanced productivity can be achieved.