Submission from Assobiotec

The innovation.

1,4, Butanediol is a chemical intermediate used for a wide range of applications, including industrial processes (as a solvent) and the manufacture of diverse products including textiles, electronics, automotive and consumer goods as used in the biopolymer sector. Traditionally produced through chemical processes, the development of a biotechnology-derived process now enables its production with a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. This is a significant shift towards biotechnology within the production of bioplastics and biochemicals.

In 2016, the world’s first industrial scale plant was developed which integrated a biorefinery into existing chemical processes to produce 1,4 BDO directly from sugars, enabling the significant reduction in greenhouses gases from biotechnology-driven process. The plant can produce up to 30,000 tons per year and is a starting point for further integration of feedstock supplies (raw materials for fuel or production) for manufacturing.

The benefits.

The use of biobutanediol allows the reduction of the net Global Warming Potential “Cradle to gate” by 50% in terms of CO2 equivalent emissions, compared to the fossil alternative. The delta has been determined as the difference between the carbon footprint profile of 1,4 bio-BDO (ISO 14067:2018 certified) and the carbon footprints of fossil BDO available in literature, reflecting the most representative process technology.

Moreover, the plant is designed to reuse by-products for its own energy purpose, optimizing the whole life-cycle process. In 2020, the anaerobic digester started the first biogas production from industrial waste consisting of thermally inactivated bacteria and their residues. By introducing an additional treatment system, the biogas is now converted into biomethane and fed into the national network, allowing to further increase the plant’s efficiency.

Additional materials:

Mater-Biotech: The development of innovative industrial biotechnology processes complete our integrated biorefineries in local area