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The development of biodiesel industry caused excess glycerol
The surge in biodiesel investment has led to a significant surplus of glycerol, a by-product of the production process. With approximately 1 kg of glycerol generated for every 1 kg of biodiesel produced, finding new applications for this substance has become a global priority. In response, numerous chemical companies have developed innovative technologies to repurpose glycerol into valuable products.
Dow Chemical recently announced plans to construct a 150,000-ton-per-year epichlorohydrin plant and a 100,000-ton-per-year epoxy plant in Shanghai, utilizing a groundbreaking renewable technology that converts glycerol into key chemical intermediates. This marks the first large-scale application of Dow’s new glycerol-based process.
Solvay has also introduced a novel method for producing epichlorohydrin by reacting glycerol with hydrogen chloride. Their one-step process uses proprietary catalysts to generate dichloropropanol without chlorine gas, making it more environmentally friendly. A new plant in France will initially produce 10,000 tons per year, with potential for expansion, and is supplied by a French biodiesel company through a long-term contract.
Davy Process Technology has developed a process for converting glycerol into ethylene glycol using a homogeneous hydrogenolysis catalyst. The reaction achieves up to 90% conversion in a liquid phase, showcasing high efficiency.
At the University of Missouri, researchers have created a process to produce propylene glycol from glycerol, achieving yields over 73%. Similar efforts are underway at companies like ADM and Cargill, who are also exploring ways to convert bio-based glycerol into propylene glycol, capitalizing on the current market demand.
In Brazil, scientists have discovered a way to break down glycerol into hydrogen and carbon monoxide using platinum catalysts under mild conditions, offering a promising route for energy production.
China, being the world's largest producer of epoxy resins, has seen growing demand for epichlorohydrin. Jiangsu Polytechnic University has developed a glycerol-based process for direct epichlorohydrin production, offering advantages such as lower costs, safer operations, and reduced environmental impact compared to traditional methods.
Additionally, Zhejiang University of Technology has made progress in producing dihydroxyacetone (DHA) through bioconversion of glycerol. Their microbial process, which involves glycerol dehydrogenase, has moved from lab-scale experiments to pre-industrial trials. DHA is a versatile compound used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food industries, and can be further processed into chiral compounds or colorants.
This growing interest in glycerol utilization highlights the shift toward sustainable chemical production, turning what was once a waste product into a valuable resource.