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The development of biodiesel industry caused excess glycerol
The surge in biodiesel production has led to a significant surplus of glycerol, a by-product that is generated at a rate of approximately 1 kg for every 1 kg of biodiesel produced. This oversupply has sparked global interest in finding new and valuable applications for glycerol. In response, chemical companies have been developing innovative technologies to transform this by-product into useful chemicals.
Dow Chemical recently announced plans to build a 150,000-ton-per-year epichlorohydrin plant and a 100,000-ton-per-year epoxy plant in Shanghai, utilizing a new renewable resource technology. This will be the first large-scale application of Dow's glycerol-based process, marking a significant step in repurposing biodiesel by-products.
Solvay has also made progress with a new method for producing epichlorohydrin from glycerol using hydrogen chloride and proprietary catalysts. The one-step reaction eliminates the need for chlorine gas, and the company has already started operations at a 10,000-ton-per-year facility in France, sourcing glycerol from a local biodiesel producer.
Meanwhile, Davy Process Technology has developed a process to convert glycerol into ethylene glycol using a novel homogeneous hydrogenolysis catalyst. This system achieves up to 90% conversion, offering a promising alternative to traditional methods.
At the University of Missouri, researchers have collaborated with the Renewable Alternative Resources Office to create a process that produces propylene glycol from glycerol, achieving yields over 73%. Similar efforts are being pursued by companies like ADM and Cargill, who are also exploring bio-based propylene glycol production.
In Brazil, scientists have found a way to break down glycerol into hydrogen and carbon monoxide using platinum catalysts under mild conditions, opening new possibilities for energy and chemical applications.
China, as the world’s largest producer of epoxy resins, has seen growing demand for epichlorohydrin. Jiangsu Polytechnic University has developed a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method to produce epichlorohydrin directly from glycerol, offering advantages such as lower investment, reduced pollution, and no reliance on propylene or chlorine.
Additionally, Zhejiang University of Technology has advanced research into biologically producing dihydroxyacetone (DHA) from glycerol. Their microbial process has completed small-scale trials and is now moving toward industrial-scale production. DHA has a wide range of applications, including pharmaceuticals, Food Additives, and cosmetics.
This ongoing innovation highlights the potential of glycerol as a valuable feedstock, transforming what was once a waste product into a key component of sustainable chemical manufacturing.