A diverse range of processes (mechanical, biological, thermal, catalytic, etc.) are used in biorefineries to produce these biomolecules according to two main approaches: on the one hand, the structural approach that isolates biomolecules similar to those used in fossil carbon- based chemistry in order to replace them, and on the other hand, the functional approach, which explores ways of obtaining new molecules with properties equivalent or superior to those of oil- sources molecules.
Today s biorefineries essentially use food-based biomass (wheat, maize, sugar cane, sugar beet, palm oil, etc.) to produce biomolecules, such as ethanol and biodiesel. But, against the backdrop of worldwide population growth and climate change that are making food self-sufficiency, the conservation of arable land and its reasonable use essential, attention is now turning to the use of organic waste.
From waste to biomolecules: a challenge that is complex for researchers, but very promising for the environment
SUEZ manages millions of tonnes of organic waste that is a strong candidate for supplying input for green chemistry. Wood, paper and cardboard waste, and industrial, commercial and domestic food waste are of particular interest, explain Marion Crest and Benjamin Percheron, the members of the CIRSEE team working on the recovery of organic waste who are in charge of biomolecule- related initiatives.
Around 30 SUEZ employees are currently working on research and innovation projects that aim to transform organic waste into bioresources. A long- term effort that faces numerous challenges, since each type of waste demands a specific treatment.
Most of our waste, be it agricultural, domestic or industrial, forms a massive reserve of secondary raw materials. Amongst the many possible means of recovery, the transformation of this waste into molecules of interest to green chemistry is one option.
An introduction to green chemistry
Dating back to the 1990s, the so-called green chemistry movement aims to limit the use of non- renewable resources and the environmental impacts of the production of chemical compounds and their derivatives. Sometimes called ecological chemistry , this discipline imagines new processes and means of synthesis that are cleaner and favour the use of raw materials of renewable origin (plant and animal biomass). The biomolecules , or bio-sourced molecules produced by converting this biomass can advantageously replace oil-sourced molecules that rely on the use of carbon of fossil origin (oil, natural gas, coal). As resources dwindle, these biomolecules are of great interest to numerous industries, such as chemicals, energy, agriculture and food, and pharmaceuticals companies.
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