Harnessing the power of biomass
Plastic. The word is now inextricably linked to environmental damage, pollution and images of sea creatures tangled in reams of discarded plastic packaging.
Similarly, the colossal impact of fossil fuels is never far from the news. For developing countries in particular, there is an urgent need for affordable technologies using local resources in order to avert environmental problems and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Global warming is leading to disasters such as catastrophic storms, heat waves, floods and droughts – with many occurring in developing countries where high population densities and poor infrastructure only amplify human and financial losses.
The damaging effects of plastic
While the UK is working to improve waste management through recycling and the creation of bioplastics, such efforts are eclipsed by relentless plastic usage in developing nations. Indonesia, with its growing population and rapid urbanisation, is the world's second biggest contributor to plastic waste in oceans. The United Nations Environment Programme predicts that plastic waste in oceans causes $13 billion of damage each year.
Once in the ocean, plastic decomposes very slowly and is incredibly damaging to sea life
Developing countries such as Indonesia need to greatly decrease their fossil fuels usage to protect the environment and human health. Yet the country's carbon emissions are rising rapidly.
Indonesia possess a rich and untapped biomass resource, which is often disposed of by burning, in turn leading to greater pollution. In fact, the country generates the highest waste biomass in the world.
However, using biomass to make biofuels and bioplastics has incredible potential. Indonesia’s climate provides a perfect environment for year-round plant growth, resulting in the production of large quantities of biomass.
Biodegradable plastics and biofuels
A research project has been undertaken to help produce solutions to convert organic biomass (waste material from plants or animals that is not used for food) into biodegradable plastics and biofuels.
Converting biomass could be an effective and relatively inexpensive way of producing renewable fuels and biodegradable plastics. Dr Volkan Degirmenci, who led the project, explains: “New technologies using non-food biomass are urgently needed to avert the environmental stresses that developing countries, as well as developed nations, are experiencing with increasing intensity."
The project has helped to meet environmental challenges in developing countries with focus on waste biomass conversion for sustainable, renewable and environmentally friendly chemicals production. Dr Degirmenci and his team designed and analysed the feasibility of a potential industrial production plant in Southeast Asia.
The project built on work carried out in Warwick’s Chemistry and Engineering departments, and researchers worked closely with local Indonesian scientists and oil companies to explore how these new materials and processes can be produced on a large scale.
They used their expertise in inorganic chemistry and chemical engineering to develop new solid-acid catalysts for the conversion of carbohydrates – the main constituent of biomass.
Dr Volkan Degirmenci and collaborators from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI)
Environmental and economic benefits
Using local renewable resources has wide-ranging benefits. Environmental benefits include a reduction of oil demand to the drastic minimisation of greenhouse gas emissions.
Economically, the new resources could decrease the need for imported chemicals, contributing to welfare and economic development. When raw materials are resourced from relatively poorer rural areas, more income flows into local communities, public health improves and prosperity increases.
Dr Degirmenci explains: “Our project addressed the challenge faced by Indonesia and other developing countries, particularly in the tropical regions, which is the development of new highly efficient industrial catalyst materials for a cost-competitive technology for exploiting their large, agricultural waste. When locally processed and produced, non-edible part of plant materials, biomass, could replace use of fossil fuels for the production of plastics and replace it with green processes and bioplastics.”
Biomass can be used to help create a cleaner, greener world and generate much-needed income streams for some of the world’s poorest people. This project supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of Life on Land, Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth and Affordable Clean Energy.
