Bioprocessing of commodity chemicals research directions for government, industry, and academia

Abstract

The US chemical industry is facing maturing markets, variability in raw materials supply, and stiff competition from emerging chemical industries in other countries with abundant feedstock supplies. Bioprocessing could play a major role in the domestic industry’s attempt to rejuvenate many of its mature segments. Potential advantages of bioprocessing include new products, improved process economics, reduced environmental hazard, and feedstock flexibility. However, socio-institutional factors and technical constraints must be resolved before routine commercial production of bulk chemicals by bioprocessing is possible. Important research directions include improvements in biocatalysts, design of innovative bioreactors, and developments in new separations technology. Both government and academic resources are available to assist the commodity chemicals industry in solving these research challenges.