The Use of CO2 in the Production of Bioplastics for an Even Greener Chemistry

Drault Fabien,Ivaldo Itabaiana,Youssef Snoussi,Robert Wojcieszak

doi:10.3390/su132011278

Abstract

The high life expectancy of the world population provokes increase in demand for food and energy. As a result, the intense industrialization and the application of fossil sources is responsible for high levels of CO2 emission and waste generation. To mitigate the CO2 emission a practical solution at the very short term is urgently needed. The capture of CO2 and its application in chemical processes for the valorization of residual biomass are of great importance nowadays. The application of CO2 in the selective carboxylation of furoic acid for the production of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), a bio-based monomer, has been an important step towards obtaining biopolymers to replace petroleum-based plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In this project report, we discuss on the current challenges for obtaining the 2,5-FDCA precursor from the furfural in two main routes involving oxidation and carboxylation via heterogeneous catalysis. We present the main objectives and discuss the importance of this research for the development of more sustainable processes.

Highlights

Nowadays, looking for alternative renewable bio-resources is urgent and important in order to replace non-bio and non-renewable ones conventionally employed in different industrial areas
Part of biomass valorization consists of producing bioplastics from sugars such as xylose or glucose, which are abundantly present in agricultural productions such as wheat or beet, in agricultural residues or even in sawdust
Scientific research is increasingly concerned with the production of bioplastics, which represent about 1% of the 368 million tons of plastic produced each year in the world

Summary

Introduction

Nowadays, looking for alternative renewable bio-resources is urgent and important in order to replace non-bio and non-renewable ones conventionally employed in different industrial areas. In the European Union alone, more than 75% of the greenhouse gas emissions come from the production and consumption of fossil fuels. In order to reduce the amount of CO2 released, some processes have been suggested to capture the gas and use it for several chemical reactions [4]. The carboxylation of chemical compounds with CO2 is one of these reactions that can be applied in the valorization of biomass. Part of biomass valorization consists of producing bioplastics from sugars such as xylose or glucose, which are abundantly present in agricultural productions such as wheat or beet, in agricultural residues or even in sawdust. The demand for the production of biopolymers for bioplastics, more resistant and even more biodegradable ones, is constantly increasing and diversifying (Figure 1). The production of bioplastics, especially which are biodegradable, is expected to increase by 50% in the

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