Next generation feedstocks are aimed at providing a solution to the challenge of embedded carbon emissions stemming from conventional chemical manufacturing, as demand continues to grow. IDTechEx's report, "Next-Generation Feedstocks for Sustainable Chemicals 2025-2035: Markets, Players, Forecasts", explores feedstock types, methods, and key drivers for implementing newer, more sustainable feedstocks.
The chemical industry accounted for over 2 trillion dollars of exports in 2023 and is the largest industrial consumer of oil and gas. Over two thirds of emissions produced in manufacturing chemicals are from embedded carbon, with the rest being production emissions, and it is only these that renewable energy adoption can eradicate. New types of chemical feedstocks will be required to reduce reliance on embedded fossil-based carbon.
Lignocellulosic feedstocks
Lignocellulosic feedstocks are the most commonly available bioresource worldwide, and include sugar cane bagasse, hardwood, softwood, rice straw, sawdust, and banana waste. They are made from the wall of plant cells which are comprised of natural polymers including cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. These polymers can be used to produce biochemical products. Lignocellulosic feedstocks are popular as a result of their abundance, low cost, and their being under-utilized, with types such as sawdust can be consistent all year round, and modern mechanical farming producing a relatively uniform output.
The utilization of hemicellulose and cellulose is well established, with the production of sugars via hydrolysis being a longstanding and well-known process. From these sugars, such as xylose, arabinose, glucose, mannose, and galactose, various compounds can be made, including organic acids, alcohols, furans, and glycols.
Lignin, however, is mostly burned for energy, with other applications including animal feed supplement or materials such as biodegradable composites. This is as a result of lignin being hard to depolymerize and the high possibility of it becoming contaminated by sulfur.
When extracted at lower temperatures, lignin could be sourced without contamination and therefore be utilized in higher-value applications. It could not only be used as a sustainable alternative to bitumen for road resurfacing, but also for producing battery anodes used in electric vehicles, highlighting its diverse potential. The renewable product company Stora Enso has partnered with Northvolt and Polestar to hopefully produce a climate-neutral car by 2030, using lignin as a battery anode material.
Strengths and drawbacks of next-gen feedstocks
Using next generation feedstocks in chemical manufacturing is considered a much more sustainable approach. The feedstocks come from waste resources and residues unlike 1st generation feedstocks and therefore don't compete with food crops or result in land use changes, though the benefits of this have been debated. As next-generation feedstocks are usually byproducts, they tend to be relatively cheap.
IDTechEx also outlines some potential disadvantages of using and sourcing next-generation feedstocks. Companies must ensure their feedstocks are sourced sustainably and in line with deforestation regulation in order to have the environmental impact that they claim, adding pressure in ensuring the processes are carried out appropriately.
Standardization of feedstocks can also be challenging, according to IDTechEx, as there may be a variability in composition, and therefore, different processes such as pretreatment may be required which can increase costs. These costs may then be amplified by potential infrastructure needed for collection and other logistics. The economic viability for next generation feedstocks is also tricky, as it is hard to make drop-in chemicals from next-generation feedstocks cost-competitive with petrochemicals.
Within IDTechEx's report, next-generation feedstocks refer to all non-1st generation (such as sugar crops), and non-fossil-based feedstocks. Next-generation feedstocks include 2nd generation feedstocks such as agricultural waste, 3rd generation feedstocks such as algae algae, and other next generation feedstocks such as genetically engineered bacteria. For more information, visit IDTechEx's report, "Next-Generation Feedstocks for Sustainable Chemicals 2025-2035: Markets, Players, Forecasts" and the wider portfolio of Energy & Decarbonization Research Reports and Subscriptions.
