Advances in Chemical Engineering & Technology

Advances in Renewable Chemicals

Renewable chemicals are used for increasing the use of renewable resources rather than fossil fuels. Renewable chemicals contain all the chemicals which are produced from renewable feedstock such as microorganisms, biomass (plant, animal, and marine), and agricultural raw materials. Renewable chemicals are utilized in several applications across different Chemical industries such as in food processing, housing, textiles, environment, transportation, hygiene, pharmaceutical, and other applications. Renewable chemicals are mainly available as ketones, alcohols, organic acids, and bio-polymers. They are used in surfactants and lubricants, consumer goods, resins, and plastics for environmental purpose. There are diverse technologies available in chemical engineering which are used for making renewable chemicals. The renewable chemicals market is expanding primarily the resources of renewable chemicals, and the consumer’s inclination towards using eco-friendly products. The high cost and certain subjects related to the production of renewable chemicals are the factors that are hampering the development of this market. Presently Europe forms the largest market for renewable chemicals, but Asia-Pacific is driving the market growth, and is expected to override the renewable chemicals market by 2018.