Sustainability metrics for a fossil- and renewable-based route for 1,2-propanediol production: A comparison

• We compare the 1,2-PDO production either from fossil or biomass resources on the base of predefined green metrics.
• The 3-step route to 1,2-PDO from propylene involving the chlorhydrin process for propylene oxide formation was evaluated.
• The biomass-based route including dehydration–hydrogenation steps was also evaluated.
• The evaluation shows that both routes are competitive but the production of valuable co-products needs to be included.

Historically, 1,2-PDO had always been exclusively produced from fossil resources and many routes have been industrially commercialized. More recently, new strategies based on renewable resources have allowed for the development of technology for the commercial production of 1,2-PDO from glycerol. In the present study the fossil-based chlorhydrin process is taken as a reference and compared to the catalytic hydrogenolysis of glycerol route to evaluate which one is the most advantageous in terms of sustainability. To this extent, a concise and practical approach is employed that allows for an early stage comparison based on four preselected green metrics that estimate material and energy efficiency, economic added value and land use. The evaluation shows that the renewable-based routes can provide a viable alternative to the petrochemical route and both approaches must therefore be considered in a global process. Importantly, the production of valuable co-products needs to be included in such an assessment as these strongly influence its outcome.

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