Carbon for Chemicals: How can biomass contribute to the defossilisation of the chemicals sector?

Author: Joanna Sparks, Aston University

Many products in modern society contain carbon: pharmaceuticals, plastics, textiles, food additives, and all manner of ingredients for cosmetics and cleaning products, which are all made using organic, carbon-based chemicals. Unfortunately, most of these carbon-based chemicals are made from fossil feedstocks, meaning that, like fossil fuels for energy, they contribute to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate change. The impacts of climate change are already being felt around the world and urgent action is required across all sectors and nations to reduce GHG emissions. The climate impacts of the use of fossil fuels for energy are clear, and thanks to significant efforts and international cooperation, demand for fossil fuels in energy is expected to fall in the coming decades as the world transitions to renewable energy sources. In contrast, the petrochemicals sector is expected to grow significantly in the coming decades, and the issue of how we address the emissions associated with the carbon in our chemicals has received relatively little attention.

Addressing emissions from across the whole life cycle of organic chemicals and materials will require systemic change and a suite of different approaches and technologies. Measures relating to manufacturing processes, energy consumption, renewable energy, and deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) have been the focus of attention so far. Although such changes will be necessary and likely have a significant impact on emissions, they will not address the emissions from the embedded carbon in products. The transition to a net-zero-compatible chemical system also requires other changes, including implementation of circular economy principles, steps to address levels of production, and a transition away from fossil feedstocks. Carbon-based chemicals cannot be decarbonised, but they can be defossilised through a transition to renewable carbon sources such as biomass, recycled material (e.g., plastic), or carbon dioxide.

The petrochemicals sector is large, complex, and well established, and the widespread change required to move away from chemicals derived from fossil feedstocks will likely only be possible with government intervention. Like many other countries, the UK does not yet have policies in place that encourage biomass as a chemical feedstock and there is very little clarity around the future of bio-based chemicals.

This report presents evidence on bio-based chemicals and materials, to improve understanding, support policy development, and identify evidence gaps and areas where further research is required.

Download the report.