Evaluation and optimization of the environmental performance of PHA downstream processing

Biobased and biodegradable materials such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) have great potential an alternative for conventional oil-based plastics in consumer goods medical applications, but their total market share is still marginal due to high production costs. Downstream processing, with energy demand significant requirements oil-derived solvents chemicals, has been identified one bottleneck the PHA value chain. Hence, a thorough study of environmental performance recovery processes essential promote applicability. This work provides valuable insights on downstream processing hotspots how optimize them accordingly. Eight both high-grade low-grade purification are evaluated from techno-economic perspective, assessing scale-up possibilities challenges. To reach this goal, scenario definition process design were supported by systematic review available methods related life cycle assessments. Methods relying solvent extraction require large amounts recovery, thus, higher impurity removal also entails larger costs impacts all categories, when compared mechanical disruption or chemical digestion. Therefore, only recommended those cases where quality required, can be reasonably obtained integrated biorefinery. Chemical digestion optimized adding chemicals unit, while appears most promising technology terms performance. Through technoeconomic assessment, it proved that PHAs attractive sustainable bioeconomy if product incorporate assessment developed work.