Industrial implementation of chemical biomass conversion

This article reviews a number of processes in which lignocel-lulose or sugars are converted into useful chemicals. Catalytic pyrolysis of lignocellulose yields mixtures of hydrocarbons that can be rich in either alkenes or in aromatics. These processes can also be run on plastic waste or mixtures of biomass and plastic waste. Their implementation is imminent. Furfural has been produced from biomass for a long time but new appli-cations of furfural, such as 2-methyltetrahydrofuran are emerging. 5-hydroxymethylfurfural seems to be too unstable for large scale production but production of the analogous 5-methoxymethylfurfural and 5-chloromethylfurfural will start next year. Levulinic acid and derivatives are about to be produced on large scale. Several processes will come on stream for the production of glycols from either glucose or from bio-ethanol. A plant for the conversion of bioethanol into butadiene is currently built in Poland.

Automated summary

This article reviews various processes for converting lignocellulose or sugars into useful chemicals. Catalytic pyrolysis of lignocellulose produces hydrocarbon mixtures rich in alkenes or aromatics. These processes can also be applied to plastic waste or mixtures of biomass and plastic waste. New applications of furfural are emerging, and the production of furfural derivatives, such as 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, is increasing. The production of levulinic acid and its derivatives is about to be scaled up. Additionally, there are several processes in development for the production of glycols from glucose or bioethanol, and a plant for converting bioethanol into butadiene is currently under construction in Poland.