Waste, the “new gold rush”
In 2050 waste recycling will supply half of the polymers production.
Source: The-Carbon-Managers-iC2050.pdf
Mixed municipal waste, biomass, and unsorted plastic waste are increasingly viewed as valuable resources. They are poised to become key feedstocks for supplying the carbon embedded in polymers. This shift not only complements the existing practices of mechanically recycling plastics but also significantly reduces reliance on virgin fossil sources.
Biomass waste
Biomass is a very broad concept that includes everything from waste from forestry, agricultural and livestock activities to the organic fraction of domestic and industrial waste, including by-products from the food, agriculture and wood-processing industries. More specifically, a definition of biomass used in European directives is the following one.
“The biodegradable fraction of biological products, wastes and residues from agricultural activities (including substances of plant and animal origin), forestry and related industries, including fisheries and aquaculture, as well as the biodegradable fraction of industrial and municipal waste.”
Every year, 140 billion tonnes of biomass from the agriculture sector and 181.5 billion tonnes of lignocellulosic biomass from forestry and agricultural residues are produced worldwide annually, with only 40% and 4.5% biomass reuse respectively. However, the low density, high moisture absorption, and comparatively low heating values of biomass limit the transportation, conversion, and combustion of biomass as solid fuels. Traditionally, the solid biofuel combustion has accounted for the 80% of revenue share of the biomass market.
Plastics waste
Given the rising regulatory pressures to incorporate more plastic waste into circular products, it's imperative to consider plastic waste as a valuable resource. On a global scale, 80% of plastic waste ends up in landfills or pollutes the environment, 12% is incinerated, and merely 9% undergoes recycling.
While mechanical recycling has long been the cornerstone of plastic waste management, chemical recycling is emerging as a promising alternative that could revolutionize the industry. By breaking down plastics into their original monomers or converting them into valuable chemicals, chemical recycling offers the potential to handle more complex and contaminated plastic waste streams that are not suitable for mechanical recycling.
Municipal solid waste (MSW)
Municipal solid waste (MSW) is generated from various anthropogenic activities, including agricultural, food, industrial, medical, and chemical processes. Traditionally, this waste has been managed through methods such as landfill dumping and uncontrolled burning, which result in soil, air, and water pollution. In Europe, approximately 12% of municipal solid waste (MSW) is composed of plastics and biomass derived waste makes up about 30-40%.
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) has recently gained attention as a valuable resource for generating high-value compounds. The diverse and abundant chemical composition of MSW makes it an attractive feedstock for various applications.
Innovative Physical and Chemical Methods: Pyrolysis and gasification
Biogas and gasification technologies expect to grow at a high pace due to the array of potential applications and higher process efficiency. This process converts solid biomass into gaseous fuels, which can be used to generate electricity and also be used as synthesis gas in the chemical industry. Moreover biogas, when purified (upgraded), can be directly injected into the grid.
Pyrolysis involves heating organic materials in the absence of oxygen to produce synthetic gas, oils, and char. Gasification converts organic materials into synthetic gas through partial oxidation at high temperatures, which can be further processed into chemicals or used for energy production.
In the “Base Case” scenario in “The Carbon Managers” report commissioned by Cefic, which examines the EU chemical sector’s transition to climate-neutrality, capital investment this decade focuses on the production of alternative feedstocks.
Key investments are made in biomass gasification, which produces biomethane. This substance is utilized both as a feedstock and a fuel for heat generation.
Even with process electrification, the chemical industry remains molecule-based, with carbon retaining a central role. Access to biomass is vital to replace fossil molecules, as it's the most straightforward and economically attractive feedstock option, requiring minimal adaptation to existing processes.
Gasification of hydrocarbon feedstocks to produce syngas and related products is a well-established process. Recent advancements in pre-conversion technologies enable the processing of more complex materials, such as mixed plastics, biomass, and municipal waste. Revamping existing gasification units presents an efficient and cost-effective strategy to reduce reliance on virgin materials and minimize waste sent to landfills. These innovations are essential for enhancing resource efficiency and promoting sustainable waste management practices.
