Renewable Plant‐Based Raw Materials for Industry

Abstract

Abstract Renewable raw materials can be defined as the sum of all substances obtained from living world, from plant and animal kingdom. The total production of biomass on our earth is estimated at about 170 billion tons per annum that roughly consists of 75% carbohydrates, 20% lignins, and 5% of other materials such as oils and fats, proteins, alkaloids, and terpenes, etc. Out of which about 6 billion tons are currently being used for human needs (3.7 billion tons for food purposes, 2 billion for energy fuels, pulp and paper production, 300 million tons for specialty materials, etc.). Plant‐based renewable raw materials are obtained from agriculture and forestry. There are a number of plants products that have proven potential to be used as a feedstock for many industries. Plant oils, steroids, polysaccharides, terpenoids/terpenes, alkaloids, and flavonoids are the most important plant materials that have been in use in many industrial sectors. Sugar or glucose obtained from sugar cane, sugar beet, potatoes, corn, wheat, cassava, rice, and so on are known to be used as one of the most essential substrate for industrial fermentation processes. Plant oils, for example, palm, soybean, rice bran, and coconut oil, produce various oleo‐chemicals such as triglycerides, fatty acids/alcohols, and glycerol that are utilized to produce specialty products such as tensides, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Cellulose obtained from wood is particularly used in pulp and paper industry. Flavonoids extracted from aromatic plants such as rose, acacia, and many more are the chief raw materials in perfumeries. The plant‐based raw materials go through many chemical and biotechnological processes to come into a shape of end product. The most common raw materials such as sugars, cellulose, and oils can produce an almost infinite range of products. Plant‐based raw materials have so many advantages over fossil feedstocks. They are nontoxic and hence assert their suitability for the products, which have direct contact with skin and eyes such as cosmetics, medicines, and surfactants. Their easy biodegradability makes them superior from an environmental point of view. Despite having many advantages, plant‐based raw materials have some limitations. The seasonal variation in quality and quantity of crops and their noncontinuous supply are the major disadvantages associated with plant‐based raw materials.