Towards aromatics from biomass: Prospective Life Cycle Assessment of bio-based aniline

Abstract

Bio-based chemicals are seen as a potential stepping-stone towards a more sustainable chemical industry. However, while bio-based routes are already available for various organic alcohols and acids, the direct bio-based production of aromatic compounds has been difficult so far. Recently, the first bio-based process for the production of the important aromatic aniline has been realized. The process produces bio-based aniline via two-stages: first, sugar is fermented by Corynebacterium Glutamicum to aminobenzoic acid, which is then catalytically decarboxylated to aniline. In this study, we present a prospective Life Cycle Assessment for bio-based aniline production to evaluate the environmental potential compared to fossil-based aniline production. Our results suggest that the bio-based production could reduce the global warming impacts of aniline from cradle-to-grave by 35–69% relative to fossil-based production, depending on the type of biomass feedstock. However, bio-based aniline could also substantially increase eutrophication and acidification, a trade-off commonly observed for bio-based processes. Thus, the novel production route is promising and expands the scope of bio-based chemicals towards aromatics. • First Life Cycle Assessment of bio-based aniline production. • Bio-based production chain in three world regions considering four feedstocks. • Significantly lower global warming impacts possible by bio-based aniline. • Reduced global warming impacts robust regarding indirect land-use change. • Feedstock demand for global aniline demand could be satisfied.