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Toluene is an aromatic hydrocarbon found in petroleum and natural gas. It is primarily used in the production of benzene, xylene, and other petrochemicals. Traditionally, toluene has been derived from petroleum-based sources, but in recent years, biobased toluene has been developed as a sustainable alternative.
Biobased toluene is derived from renewable biomass sources such as sugarcane or corn, and is produced through a process called hydrodeoxygenation. This process involves the reaction of biomass with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to form a mixture of hydrocarbons, including toluene. The toluene is then separated from the other hydrocarbons and purified.
The production of biobased toluene has many advantages. It provides a renewable alternative to petroleum-based toluene and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with its production.
Additionally, it is biodegradable and non-toxic, making it more environmentally friendly than petroleum-based toluene. Furthermore, biobased toluene can be used as a feedstock for the production of other petrochemicals, such as benzene and xylene.
Biobased toluene is a promising alternative to petroleum-based toluene. It provides a renewable source for the production of petrochemicals and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with its production. Furthermore, its environmental benefits make it an attractive option for the production of chemicals.
The Global Bio-based toluene market accounted for $XX Billion in 2023 and is anticipated to reach $XX Billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of XX% from 2024 to 2030.
Standard industry requirements for high purity toluene, such as TDI/nitration grade, are met by Bio Form TL toluene. Common contaminants are found at concentrations comparable to or lower than those found in toluene produced by standard petrochemical processes.
High purity toluene that meets standard industrial criteria can be easily replaced with Bio Form TL, which can be used in place of petrochemical toluene. Towards sustainable goals, Bio Form TL contributes. Comparing Bio Form TL to petrochemical toluene, the GHG will be reduced by up to 70%, depending on the feedstock used to make the product. Carbon in Bio Form TL is presumed to be biobased based on radiocarbon dating.
Toluene diisocyanate, an essential part of polyurethane foams for mattresses, furniture, and automobiles, is made from toluene. It is also a building block for colors and explosives like TNT.
Furthermore, toluene finds widespread usage as a solvent in many applications such as lacquers, paints, paint thinners, inks, and adhesives. Another usage for toluene is as a fuel blend stock. In petrol, it acts as an octane booster when mixed in.
Globally, toluene and nitrogenous NMP are widely utilized as solvents in paints, coatings, and pharmaceutical products, among other products. The European Union is investigating the possibility of limiting the use of several compounds, which are deemed hazardous.
Wageningen Food & Biobased Research is creating safe substitutes for toluene and NMP with technically comparable qualities as part of the EU-BBI project RESOLVE. These substitutes are also sustainable because they are made from leftover flows rich in vegetables and carbohydrates.
NMP and toluene are used on a yearly basis in quantities ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of tones, and the health of those who handle these compounds is severely compromised.
Substances that resemble toluene and NMP in terms of molecular structure are typically considered while searching for alternatives. This makes sense, as utilizing these alternatives in the existing production processes is then rather easy.
However, because the toxicity is connected to the molecular structure, creating safe lookalikes is rather challenging. In order to circumvent the chemical groups that render toluene and NMP hazardous, RESOLVE seeks to discover substitutes with an entirely new chemical structure.