Technology for
Producing
Basic Chemicals
from Bioethanol
Concept
Asahi Kasei contributes to realize circular economy by our novel technology, producing basic chemicals from biomass feedstock
Unlike fossil resources, the carbon component of biomass resources does not increase atmospheric CO2 when disposed of or incinerated, because the carbon component of biomass resources is derived from the absorption of CO2 from the ground by plants through photosynthesis.
The technology developed by Asahi Kasei to produce basic chemicals from bioethanol will enable the conversion of many daily necessities into bio-based products, including products that were previously considered difficult to produce from non-fossil resources. This technology will promote the spread of bio-based plastics, and contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions and the use of petroleum.
Technology
Asahi Kasei is developing technology to produce basic chemicals from sustainable biomass feedstock.
Catalytic dehydration is widely acknowledged as a production method of bio-based ethylene from ethanol. However, our novel technology will enable the production not only of bio-ethylene, but also light olefins such as bio-propylene, and bio-aromatics such as benzene, toluene, and xylene, in a single plant.
Biomass-Derived Basic Chemicals
Bio-Ethylene
(C2)Bio-Propylene
(C3)Bio-C4
Bio-Benzene
(C6)Bio-Toluene
(C7)Bio-Xylene
(C8)
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Features
- ・ One-stop production of basic chemicals (C2, C3, C4, Aromatics) from biomass feedstock
- ・ Use of versatile and highly available biomass feedstock as raw material
- ・ Producing bio-based chemicals with the same properties as conventional fossil-based basic chemcials
- ・ No extra investment needed downstream for new/upgraded equipment or process changes
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Value
- ・ Reduction of petroleum usage and CO2 emissions
- ・ Variation of the bio-based product
- ・ No property difference in comparison to conventional fossil-based product
- ・ No extra investment needed downstream for new/upgraded equipment or process changes
Derivatives
Asahi Kasei is developing technology to produce bio-based basic chemicals (ethylene, propylene, C4, benzene, toluene, and xylene) from bio-ethanol.
Applications
Asahi Kasei's breakthrough technology makes it possible to manufacture many daily necessities from biomass,
including products that until now were considered difficult to manufacture from raw materials other than peteroleum.
Plastics / Resins
Electronics
Food packaging
Automotive devices
Synthetic fibers, Textiles
Clothing
Teddy bear
Carpets
Synthetic rubbers
Shoes
Tires
Gloves
Coatings & Adhesives
Inks
Paints
Adhesives
Chemicals(e.g. Surfactants)
Dish detergents
Shampoos
Cosmetics
Value Proposition
Current Situation
Unlike biomass, the carbon component of petroleum is derived from CO2 stored in the ground in the past. When unrecycled petroleum-based plastics are disposed of, CO2 stored in the ground will be released back into the atmosphere. This is one of the causes of increased CO2 in the atmosphere.
Value proposition of biomass
Reducing the use of petroleum and CO2 emissions
The carbon component of biomass resources is derived from the absorption of CO2 from the ground by plants through photosynthesis. Therefore, it does not increase atmospheric CO2 when disposed of or incinerated.
Solving the challenges of 3R
“3R (reduce, reuse, recycle)” initiatives are being promoted in many countries. The use of biomass is expected to can further reduce CO2 emissions.
1
Applying bio-based chemicals to materials not suited to recycling
・Materials that are difficult to recycle (e.g. PVC, thermosetting resins)
・Chemicals that are difficult to collect (e.g. detergents and paints)
・Composite materials that can be collected but are difficult to separate
2
Applying bio-based chemicals as newly input raw materials
Every product has a life span. Accelerated efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle will reduce the overall use of petroleum-based materials, but new input materials will still be needed. Bio-based chemicals are one effective solution to these problems.
Q&A
Bioplastics are plastic materials which are either bio-based, biodegradable, or both. The raw materials for bio-based plastics are sustainable biomass. By using bio-based plastics, we can reduce the use of fossil resources and thereby reduce CO2 emissions.
Bioethanol is alcohol made by fermenting sugar contained in sugar cane or corn, and is found in alcoholic drinks, disinfectants, etc. Recently, there is a movement to produce it by using non-food parts such as residue after sugarcane extraction, known as bagasse.
The mass balance approach is now being adopted in the chemical industry. Mass balance approach allows free attribution of the proportion of recycled or bio-based materials used in the raw material to the final product.
For example, if 100 tons of product are produced and 75% of the raw material are fossil-based and 25% are bio-based, producer may attribute bio-based content fully to 25 tons of the product.
Merits of mass balance approach
- 1. Promotes the use of renewable feedstock and contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions
- 2. Enables gradual increase in the proportion of renewable feedstock in the production process
- 3. Maintains same properties as fossil-based product
- 4. Utilizes existing infrastructure and process with no need for large investment
- 5. Strengthens the supply chain by third party certification
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