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The ten green chemicals which can create growth, jobs and trade for the UK

Bio-based chemicals – chemicals produced from plants rather than crude oil – represent a dynamic area of innovation in the UK, one that can create growth, trade, investment and jobs.

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BACKGROUND

Global trends towards sustainability, reduced emissions and landfill avoidance are driving demand for greener products. At the same time, innovators are disrupting the traditional chemicals industry by developing bio-based chemicals which can replace and improve upon oil-based ones.

The UK is already ahead of the game. We have world-leading research in bio-based chemicals in our universities, start-ups and corporate research and development. With the right support, we are perfectly positioned to become a leading global bio-based chemicals player; without it, our research and development will probably be commercialised elsewhere.

To ensure that we lead the way in this industry, the UK needs to focus on what it knows and play to its strengths.

THE TOP TEN

Through extensive consultation with industry, we have identified ten bio-based chemicals on which the UK could focus resources for maximum impact. These were agreed through multiple workshops with LBNet and other experts representing the chemicals industry, biotech startups, academia, government, biotechnology consultants and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

Driven by a real demand for sustainable chemicals, they all present a clear long-term business opportunity for the UK, where there is already a strong foundation, and where we have the business and research infrastructure to develop and commercialise them.

The ten bio-based chemicals were chosen based on:

Commercial viability

UK strengths to exploit (research to date, skills, feedstock availability, etc.)

Functionality

Sustainability

LACTIC ACID

LACTIC ACID

Used to make PolyLactic Acid (PLA), which can form biodegradable plastics.

2,5-FURANDICARBOXYLIC ACID (FDCA)

2,5-FURANDICARBOXYLIC ACID (FDCA)

Can be used to make polymers such as PEF, a stronger alternative to PET, which is a fibre used to make plastic bottles, food packaging and carpets.

LEVOGLUCOSENONE

LEVOGLUCOSENONE

A safer alternative to harmful solvents used in pharmaceutical manufacturing, and also used in flavours and fragrances.

5 HYDROXYMETHYL FURFURAL (HMF)

5 HYDROXYMETHYL FURFURAL (HMF)

A versatile chemical with potential to replace chemicals used in plastics and polyesters, and for producing high energy biofuel.

MUCONIC ACID

MUCONIC ACID

Derivatives could replace non-sustainable chemicals used in the production of PET and nylon fibres.

ITACONIC ACID

ITACONIC ACID

A replacement for petroleum-based acrylic acid, used to make absorbent materials for nappies; and resins used in high-performance marine and automotive components.

1,3-BUTANEDIOL (1,3-BDO)

1,3-BUTANEDIOL (1,3-BDO)

A building block for many high value products including pheromones, fragrances, insecticides, antibiotics and synthetic rubber.

GLUCARIC ACID

GLUCARIC ACID

Prevents deposits of limescale and dirt on fabric or dishes, providing a green replacement for phosphate-based detergents.

LEVULINIC ACID

LEVULINIC ACID

Used in the production of environmentally friendly herbicides, fruity flavour and fragrance ingredients, skin creams and degreasers.

N-BUTANOL

N-BUTANOL

Used in a wide range of polymers and plastics, as a solvent in a wide variety of chemical and textile processes and as a paint thinner.

HOW WE CAN GET THERE

To ensure we harness this opportunity, we urge government and business to take the following steps:

Focus

This list should be seen as the starting point for focusing resources on exploiting value from these specific chemicals. Investing in these areas will lead to direct short-term advantage, whilst creating the infrastructure and networks to allow other early stage chemicals to develop successfully.

Increased support for academic-business collaborations

Good partnerships between SMEs and universities are developing in the UK’s bio-based sector and these are critical in moving chemicals from the lab into manufacturing processes. Existing networks should continue to be supported by government, industry and academia.

Support UK science capability

Research funding focused on developing cost-effective ways to produce these chemicals and their derivatives, and on ways to scale them up to commercial products, will underpin viable commercial models.

Build UK scale up and testing capabilities

UK companies need technology testing and scale up services, as well as open access piloting and demonstration facilities. Technology advances in feedstock pre-treatment and the supply of low-cost renewable sugars will also be important enablers for the development of bio-based chemicals.

Incentivise use of bio-based materials

Policy support should incentivise the development and use of bio-based chemicals to accelerate market uptake. For example, policy could incentivise use of degradable materials or consumer plastic applications.

WHO WE ARE

The Lignocellulosic Biorefinery Network (LBNet) is a government-funded body tasked with fostering cross-disciplinary communities in the industrial biotechnology sector. It is an active community of industrial practitioners and leading academics generating economic value by developing novel chemicals, materials and fuels that use lignocellulosic biomass as an alternative to petroleum-derived inputs.

LBNet is one of 13 collaborative Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy set up by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council to boost interaction between academia and industry, and promote the translation of that research into benefits for the UK.

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LATEST NEWS

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The ten green chemicals driving a disruptive new industry in Britain

The ten green chemicals driving a disruptive new industry in Britain

The UK government should focus on ten specific bio-based chemicals in order to boost industrial growth, jobs, trade and investment in the UK, says a new report. Bio-based chemicals represent a dynamic area of innovation in the UK, which could become a world leader in this emerging industry. The UK has an important research lead […]

LET’S WORK TOGETHER

For now, most of the UK’s activities are early stage. Moving from research and lab-scale tests to commercial products is an area where the UK traditionally falls down. Investment and support for the bio-based chemicals sector would contribute to the sustainable growth of the UK’s chemical industry and potentially generate significant value to the UK economy. Growth of the UK’s chemical industry by a few percentage points could generate hundreds of millions of pounds in gross added value and thousands of jobs.

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