Scaling up clean production of biomass-derived organic acids as a step towards the realization of dual carbon goals: a review

Abstract

The contemporary world faces issues related to energy, the environment, and food security. The use of carbon capture, storage, and utilization technologies can help reduce CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels, which will result in major advancements toward dual carbon targets. In addition to promoting environmentally friendly manufacturing, chemical industries may replace fossil fuel-based raw materials with renewable biomass for the synthesis of organic acids and syngas. Although several studies are being conducted on co-valorization of CO₂ and biomass feedstocks to produce organic acids and fine chemicals using biotechnology, thermocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and photocatalysis, there are still various obstacles in scaling up clean production, including (i) addressing environmental concerns, (ii) the intricate structure and chemical composition of biomass, (iii) conversion mechanisms and processes, (iv) designing catalyst materials with higher durability and recyclability, (v) greener solvent systems for catalysis and extraction, (vi) the deployment of modern technologies for characterization, (vii) training and guidelines for industrial operations, and (viii) governmental financing and policy. The sustainable manufacturing of biobased products from raw feedstocks produced from biomass has been made possible via technological breakthroughs in photo-/biorefineries, which are essential for the clean and environmentally friendly synthesis of organic acids. It is anticipated that clean production of organic acids from biomass will have a dominant market share, benefiting from both socioeconomic and environmental factors. With future technical developments, the valorization of feedstocks obtained from biomass together with CO₂ for manufacturing fuels and fine chemicals will be more ecologically and economically feasible.