Title
Green Chemistry, Biocatalysis, and the Chemical Industry of the Future
Author
Sheldon, R.A. (TU Delft BT/Biocatalysis; University of Witwatersrand)
Brady, Dean (University of Witwatersrand)
Date
2022
Abstract
In the movement to decarbonize our economy and move away from fossil fuels we will need to harness the waste products of our activities, such as waste lignocellulose, methane, and carbon dioxide. Our wastes need to be integrated into a circular economy where used products are recycled into a manufacturing carbon cycle. Key to this will be the recycling of plastics at the resin and monomer levels. Biotechnology is well suited to a future chemical industry that must adapt to widely distributed and diverse biological chemical feedstocks. Our increasing mastery of biotechnology is allowing us to develop enzymes and organisms that can synthesize a widening selection of desirable bulk chemicals, including plastics, at commercially viable productivities. Integration of bioreactors with electrochemical systems will permit new production opportunities with enhanced productivities and the advantage of using a low-carbon electricity from renewable and sustainable sources.
Subject
biocatalysis
circular economy
decarbonization
defossilization
waste valorization
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:1e68bb52-37e8-438e-ba1e-ea62e592a414
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202102628
Embargo date
2023-03-13
ISSN
1864-5631
Source
ChemSusChem (Print): chemistry & sustainability, energy & materials, 15 (9)
Bibliographical note
Accepted Author Manuscript
Part of collection
Institutional Repository
Document type
review
Rights
© 2022 R.A. Sheldon, Dean Brady