The Carbohydrate Wastes to Chemicals (CtC) project examined an alternative and sustainable route to the production of glycols with propylene glycol as the main product. Thereby, the utilization of carbohydrate-containing residues as second-generation sugars was researched as alternative biogenic feedstock from biomass.

Abstract

In the Carbohydrate Wastes to Chemicals (CtC) project, Air Liquide Engineering & Construction, Air Liquide Innovation Campus Frankfurt, Provadis Hochschule, BASF SE, and hte GmbH worked together to develop an alternative and sustainable route to the production of glycols, with propylene glycol as the main product. Starting from second-generation sugars as residues from carbohydrate biomass waste streams, the pretreatment as well as the product purification were evaluated. In addition, the greenhouse gas emissions for the whole process, from residues to glycols, were estimated.