Industrial implementation of chemical biomass conversion

This article reviews a number of processes in which lignocellulose or sugars are converted into useful chemicals. Catalytic pyrolysis of lignocellulose yields mixtures of hydrocarbons that can be rich in either alkenes or in aromatics. These processes can also be run on plastic waste or mixtures of biomass and plastic waste. Their implementation is imminent. Furfural has been produced from biomass for a long time but new applications of furfural, such as 2-methyltetrahydrofuran are emerging. 5-hydroxymethylfurfural seems to be too unstable for large scale production but production of the analogous 5-methoxymethylfurfural and 5-chloromethylfurfural will start next year. Levulinic acid and derivatives are about to be produced on large scale. Several processes will come on stream for the production of glycols from either glucose or from bio-ethanol. A plant for the conversion of bioethanol into butadiene is currently built in Poland.