Region-Specific Sourcing of Lignocellulose Residues as Renewable Feedstocks for a Net-Zero Chemical Industry

Huo, J., Wang, Z., Lauri, P., Medrano-García, J.D., Guillén-Gosálbez, G., & Hellweg, S. (2024). Region-Specific Sourcing of Lignocellulose Residues as Renewable Feedstocks for a Net-Zero Chemical Industry. Environmental Science & Technology 58 (31) 13748-13759. 10.1021/acs.est.4c03005.

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Abstract

Biobased chemicals, crucial for the net-zero chemical industry, rely on lignocellulose residues as a major feedstock. However, its availability and environmental impacts vary greatly across regions. By 2050, we estimate that 3.0-5.2 Gt of these residues will be available from the global forest and agricultural sectors, with key contributions from Brazil, China, India, and the United States. This supply satisfies the growing global feedstock demands for plastics when used efficiently. Forest residues have 84% lower climate change impacts than agricultural residues on average globally but double the land-use-related biodiversity loss. Biobased plastics may reduce climate change impacts relative to fossil-based alternatives but are insufficient to fulfill net-zero targets. In addition, they pose greater challenges in terms of biodiversity loss and water stress. Avoiding feedstock sourcing from biodiversity-rich areas could halve lignocellulose residues-related biodiversity loss without significantly compromising availability. Improvements in region-specific feedstock sourcing, agricultural management and biomass utilization technologies are warranted for transitioning toward a sustainable chemical industry.

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