JRC-ESTO Techno-economic Feasibility of Large-scale Production of Bio-based Polymers in Europe

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Publications : Chemical Conversion



Techno-economic Feasibility of Large-scale Production of Bio-based Polymers in Europe, Crank M., Patel M., Marscheider-Weidemann F., Schleich J., Hüsing B., Angerer G., Wolf O. (editor), (2005), EUR No: 22103 EN, ISBN: 92-79-01230-4, (OPOCE): LF-NA-22103-EN-C

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Abstract

An overview of the types of bio-based polymers, their procedures, the production processes applied and the types of uses shows that bio-based polymers is an emerging field. Estimates have been made firstly for the technical substitution potential (33% of the total current polymer production) and then for more realistic production scenarios (1-4% market share by 2020). Energy and GHG emission reduction are significant, but due to low market shares to be expected, absolute savings will be small in the near future. Biobased polymers will not cause any strain within the EU on agricultural land requirements in the near future. Consequently the employment potential in the agricultural sector is limited.

Contents

1. introduction
1.1 materials, plastics and policy
1.2 looking back
1.3 looking ahead
1.4 objectives and scope
1.5 structure of the report

2. existing and emerging technologies for bio-based polymers in bulk chemical applications
2.1 starch polymers
2.2 polylactic acid (pla)
2.3 other polyesters from potentially bio-based monomers
2.4 polyhydroxyalkanoates (phas)
2.5 bio-based polyurethane pur
2.6 emerging technologies: bio-based polyamides (nylon)
2.7 cellulosic polymers
2.8 conclusions relating to existing and emerging technologies for biobased polymers

3. scenarios for future prices and markets of bio-based polymers
3.1 main influencing factors and their interrelation
3.2 specific influencing factors by types of polymers
3.3 price projections
3.4 market projections for bio-based polymers

4. assessment of the environmental and socio-economic effects of bio-based polymers
4.1 goal and method of the environmental assessment
4.2 input data for the environmental analysis
4.3 results of the environmental assessment of the large- scale production of bio-based polymers
4.4 socio-economic effects of the large-scale production of bio-based polymers
4.5 production value and potential leverage of fiscal measures/subsidies

5. discussion and conclusions
5.1 an emerging sector
5.2 limitations of the report
5.3 substitution potential and growth projections
5.4 environmental, economic and societal effects

6. policy recommendations
6.1 considerations about the need of policy support, an adequate support level and the implications of implementation
6.2 overview of possible policies and measures to promote bio-based polymers

7. references
8. abbreviations

Appendix 1: 2001-2002 potential applications for nodax€ based on product advantages (world-wide market potential, % of total within application).
Appendix 2.1: property comparison table for some bio-based polymers
Appendix 2.2: property comparison table for some potentially bio-based and main petrochemical-based polymers
Appendix 2.3: property comparison table for commercialized 'greenplas' in japan: bio-based and petrochemical-based biodegradable polymers (bps, 2003a)
Appendix 2.4: key properties and applications of bio-based polymers
Appendix 2.5: key properties and applications of petrochemical-based polymers
Appendix 3: summary overview of lca data for bio-based and petrochemical polymers
Appendix 4: polymers - proposed policies & measures and estimates of their potential for ghg emission reduction (eccp, 2001)
Appendix 5: US policy on bio-based products