Focus on Renewables

In the discussions around E factor/mass intensity and solvent selection, we have considered metrics that begin to address Green Chemistry Principle 1 (prevention) and 5 (use safer solvents). Green Chemistry Principle 7 considers the use of renewable resources. 

One approach to addressing the measurement of the use of renewable resources would be to develop mass metrics that record the amount or proportion of renewable resources used in a process, for example, a renewables intensity analogous to mass intensity. 

when considering the use of renewable resources, one must make note of the competing uses for land and the consequent impact on the environment, such as the competition between food production and industrial use for agricultural land, as exemplified by the growing biofuels industry or the deforestation of land for plantations of palm oil trees. This is a complex area where there is on-going national and international debate and where there are no easy answers. 

A recent example of an attempt to determine whether using a renewable bio-logicaUy-based process for making a particular product exhibits a better environmental profile in comparison to using a synthetic pathway is the comparison of two different processes for the manufacture of the pharmaceutical intermediate 7-aminocephalosporic acid (7-ACA) as a case study [33]. The methodology used for the assessment integrates environment, health, safety, and life cycle aspects 

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The Violence Policy Center, at http //www.vpc.org, also provides news and links from a strong antigun point of view. The organization is currently focused on renewing the ban on assault weapons and going beyond it to ban a variety of similar weapons that are currently legal. 

In order to achieve long term stability in society, industry should focus on renewable sources both as raw material and as process chemicals. Therefore, renewable raw material has been searched for to give a source of squalene, for example olive oil (5,6) and amaranth seed oil (7,8). Another component of interest in olive oil pomace is a-tocopherol, which is traditionally considered as the major antioxidant of olive oil. 

Fibers have been widely used in polymeric composites to improve mechanical properties. Cellulose is the major substance obtained from vegetable fibers, and applications for cellulose fiber-reinforced polymers have again come to the forefront with the focus on renewable raw materials. Hydrophilic cellulose fibers are very compatible with most natural polymers. The reinforcement of starch with ceUulose fibers is a perfect example of a polymer from renewable recourses (PFRR). The reinforcement of polymers using rigid fillers is another common method in the production and processing of polymeric composites. The interest in new nanoscale fillers has rapidly grown in the last two decades, since it was discovered that a nanostructure could be built from a polymer and layered nanoclay. This new nanocomposite showed dramatic improvement in mechanical properties with low filler content. Various starch-based nano-composites have been developed. 

Upstream PHA processing includes the production of PHA from cheap raw materials and emphasis has mainly been focused on renewable feedstocks (industrial waste and by-products). These feedstocks have been used to isolate new bacterial strains capable of utilising these compounds as substrates, followed by an extensive biosynthesis of PHA on various fermentation scales. Furthermore, genetic modification has been carried out on known PHA producers... 

Because of low prices and the steadily rising performance of technical and standard plastics, the application of natural fibres for obtaining lignocellulosic fibre - plastic composites is widely used. More recently, the critical discussion about the preservation of natural resources and recycling has led to a renewed interest concerning natural materials with the focus on renewable raw materials [2],... 

The rayon business eventually went through a serious downturn and investment in fundamental research related to cellulose and its purification were neglected. Today, in the Green Chemistry era, sustainability concepts and focus on renewable resources means that natural polysaccharides such as xylan are being rediscovered not only in wood but also in all kinds of biomass. In essence, biomass is destined to be a source of carbon for the world s plastics industry. The search for sustainability will promote this replacement. 

There has been a substantial development during the last century to construct molecules that are more efficient than the fatty acid soaps that have been produced for over 2000 years. As pointed out in the chapter on surfactants (Oleochemical and Petrochemical Surfactants An Overall Assessment) in the first book in the series about renewable products Renewables-Based Technology. Sustainability Assessment), most surfactants today are readily biodegradable and low-toxic to the aquatic environment, which are the two criteria for green surfactants . The majority of these surfactants are, however, synthesized from petroleum, which of course is non-renewable. This book will focus on renewable sources for surfactants that are also readily biodegradable and how an increased use of renewable sources might be achieved. 

An increased focus on renewable energy is also opening up opportunities for adhesives manufacturers. The push towards a viable renewable energy source has brought solar photovoltaic power technology to the forefront, and manufacturing of solar panels is forecast to emerge into one of the most crucial application areas for adhesives. 

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