Renewable chemicals are playing a growing role in the transition to a more sustainable future. Derived from biomass sources like agriculture and forestry residuals, reusable chemicals offer environmental benefits compared to petroleum-based alternatives. As production scales up, they promise to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions.

Defining Renewable Chemicals

Reusable chemicals are those produced from biomass rather than fossil fuel feedstocks like petroleum and natural gas. Biomass includes plant-based materials like agricultural crops and residues, as well as wood and forest products. Through various conversion processes, these feedstocks can be transformed into chemical building blocks and products similar to existing petrochemicals.

Some key attributes of renewable chemicals include:

Derived from recently photosynthesized biomass as opposed to fossil fuels locked away millions of years ago.

Can be designed to be functionally equivalent to petrochemicals for use in the same applications.

Manufactured through biological or thermochemical processes rather than fossil fuel cracking and reforming.

Have the potential for reduced lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions depending on biomass source and production method utilized.

Drivers of Growth in Renewable Chemical Production

Several factors are propelling the increased commercialization and scaling of reusable chemicals:

Environmental Sustainability

Growing societal focus on reducing carbon footprint and transitioning to low-carbon economy is driving demand for sustainable alternatives. Renewable chemicals offer reduced dependence on fossil fuels and potential for lower lifecycle emissions.

Resource Availability

Concerns over peaking of petroleum production and volatility in crude oil prices is making companies seek renewable feedstock options. There is an abundance of biomass globally that can be refined into chemical building blocks.

Market Pull

Major brands and retailers have set sustainability targets around transitioning to renewable materials and zero deforestation policies, pulling supply chains to adopt greener chemistries. This creates market demand signals.

Government Policy Support

Regulatory incentives like tax credits in the US and EU, along with low carbon fuel standards provide impetus for investments in renewable chemicals capacity growth. Policy aims to promote climate action and energy independence.

Technological Advancements

R&D breakthroughs such as new catalytic conversion processes and biotechnology tools allow for more efficient renewable chemical production pathways compared to previous generations of technology. This improves economics.

Top Renewable Chemical Platforms Emerging

Several core renewable chemical platforms centered around biomass sugars, oils and wastes are emerging at commercial scale across different industries:

Cellulosic ethanol - Second generation biofuel produced from non-food plant fibers via conversion of cellulose and hemicellulose.

Biobased succinic acid - Building block chemical made through fermentation able to replace petro-based variants.

Biobased adipic acid - Nylon precursor chemical replacing one produced from fossil fuels.

Renewable polyethylene - Biomass-derived bioplastic resin for packaging, consumer goods.

Aromatics from lignin - Fraction of plant fiber converted into drop-in renewable benzene, toluene, xylene for fuels/chemistry.

Biobased solvents/lubricants - Green alternatives to existing fossil-derived chemicals in many industrial applications.

While most reusable chemicals still make up a small percentage of overall production compared to petrochemicals, early commercial successes point the way towards greater volumes and integration into existing supply chains this decade. As reusable chemicals displace petroleum-derived equivalents, their uptake promises meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions over the full product life cycles. Their increasing adoption represents an encouraging transition towards more sustainable chemistry.

Commercial Successes and Key Players

Several renewable chemical platforms have now reached commercial scale, producing thousands of tons annually. Some of the leading companies at the forefront include:

Praj Industries (cellulosic ethanol)

Genomatica/Corbion (succinic acid)

Archer Daniels Midland/Marquis Energy (biobased aromatics)

Cargill/Dow (biobased polymers/resins)

Neste (renewablediesel/jet fuel, lubricants)

Others like LanzaTech, Gevo and Lygos are also progressing commercial cellulosic sugars and biochemical routes. Major oil, gas and chemical majors increasingly see renewable opportunities too - companies like Shell, Total, BASF and Eastman have made sizeable biomass-focused investments. While costs remain higher than petrochemical equivalents currently, rapidly expanding production volumes as capacities grow is expected to drive renewable chemical prices down towards parity this decade.

With supportive policies, technology improvements and continued scale-up, renewable chemicals clearly demonstrate the potential as sustainable alternatives to traditional petro-based products. Their increasing adoption will be instrumental in reducing greenhouse gas emissions across multiple industries and transitioning to a low-carbon circular bioeconomy. As commercial successes continue demonstrating technological and economic viability, renewable chemicals appear poised for meaningful market growth.