Page 176 - CW E-Magazine (4-2-2025)

Special Report Special Report

Biomass demand for transport fuels and implications biomass demand for SAF. Securing and gaining long-term political accep- leading to signifi cant and increased
demand for bio-based and CCU-based
these streams for the chemical industry tance would not only follow the scien-
for the chemical sector can help ensure that synergies between tifi c arguments but would also support carbon feedstocks. Ensuring a sus-
the sectors are fully exploited.
the chemical sector on its path towards tainable supply of second-generation
urrent transport regulations need to be managed carefully but also please see the report, which can be defossilisation and sustainability. biomass to meet the high demand for
provide a unique long-term poses signifi cant barriers for other sec- download for free here: https://renew- Industrial biomass utilisation should biofuels, particularly in aviation, while
Chorizon for sustainable aviation tors that require renewable carbon to able-carbon.eu/publications/ be based on scientifi c, objective Electrifi cation of the transport sys- balancing the needs of the chemical
and shipping fuel through the defi ned defossilise their products. In particular, arguments which include land-use tem in combination with transform- industry, will require further strategic
quotas – what does this mean for the the chemicals and materials sector has The existing transport regulation effi ciency ing carbon-reliant industries enable policy interventions to ensure a level
chemical sector? to rely on biogenic and captured carbon directs second-generation biomass to The objectively questionable exclu- a sustainable system that utilises playing fi eld, enforce a circular economy
as a feedstock in the long term. But in aviation and shipping sion of food and feed crops from future biomass and aligning the policies with the-
Following the Green Deal, the EU direct competition with the fuel sector In the current European regula- aviation fuels provides an opportunity Combining the decarbonisation of principle of cascading use. A holistic
is leading the way in transforming its and without comparable regulatory tory situation, the chemical sector will to use these crops for the chemical energy and transport with the defos- approach to these challenges is essential
transport sector towards climate neutra- incentives, the sector will have severely not be able to compete with the SAF sector. Reduced demand for food and silisation of carbon-dependent sectors to ensure sustainable and resilient trans-
lity. The current transport regulations limited access to second-generation sector for second-generation biomass, feed crops from road transport allows offers a holistic approach to sustain- port and chemical industries for decades
provide a unique long-term horizon biomass and captured carbon. How- because the binding quotas mean that the chemical sector to use more food ability. This integrated strategy creates to come. By addressing these intercon-
for sustainable carbon-based fuels in ever, the production of bio-based and SAF producers are willing to pay much and feed crops without additional land. a net-zero vision that encompasses the nected challenges simultaneously, a
aviation and shipping through the synthetic fuels can also support the higher prices for the same biomass. The Ethanol and biodiesel plants could be widespread adoption of electric vehi- more cohesive and sustainable indus-
defi ned quotas, in particular for biomass development of renewable carbon in high demand from the transport sector maintained and transformed into feed- cles alongside the transformation of trial ecosystem can be created, balanc-
covered by Annex IX, and synthetic chemicals, as some by-products of their is likely to absorb almost all available stock suppliers for the chemical indus- carbon-dependent sectors like aviation ing the needs of various sectors while
carbon dioxide (CO )-based fuels. production can be used as a chemical second-generation biomass, with prices try, preserving the substantial existing and chemicals. Such an approach would moving towards a defossilised future.
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industry feedstock. rising with demand, severely limiting infrastructure, innovation and employ- minimise carbon demand in transport
A new report by the Renewable the availability of second-generation ment that was created over past while establishing sustainable carbon “Our research reveals a critical need
Carbon Initiative (RCI) develops and RCI commissioned experts from the biomass for use in the chemical sector. decades through signifi cant investment. cycles in industries that inherently for balanced policies that support both
analyses three future scenarios for nova-Institute (Germany) to prepare this Modelling shows that it is possible to require carbon. Moreover, it opens up the transport and chemical sectors in
carbon-based fuel demand until 2050 – report. It contains 11 tables and 9 graphics, A higher share of synthetic fuels, increase the supply of starch, sugar and opportunities for innovation and prompts their transition to renewable carbon
each a possible development under cur- as well as a detailed description of beyond the mandatory shares, could vegetable oil to the chemical industry a re-evaluation of using food crops in sources,” says Michael Carus, Exe-
rent policy rules. The results visualise the latest fuel regulations in the EU, reduce the competition for bio-based in 2050 under a moderate high-tech chemicals and materials production. cutive Manager of the Renewable Carbon
that the demand for second-generation which are of high value to stakehol- feedstocks, and allow some of the scenario without compromising food Initiative. “Without coordinated and
biomass biofuels will increase signi- ders from other sectors with demand for second-generation biomass to be used security, sustainability and biofuel/SAF The future transport fuel mix will strategic approaches, we risk creating
fi cantly, mainly due to the increasing biomass and CO utilisation. Although in the chemical industry, thus creating production. Changing the image of the be signifi cantly infl uenced by the ambi- unintended barriers for the chemical
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quotas set for aviation fuels and ship- the focus is on Europe, the report also a more level playing fi eld. use of food and feed crops in industry tious regulatory framework in the EU, industry’s defossilisation efforts.”
ping. This projection not only high- includes global scenarios and analysis.
lights potential risks to the ecological The main fi ndings and conclusions are There are signifi cant potential syner- Target Your Market More Effectively
balance and resource sustainability that summarised below. For detailed analysis gies between transport and material IndiaChemTrade
sectors Free for subscribers of Chemical Weekly
The production of biofuels gene- IndiaChemTrade provides consolidated trade statistics of India. The information provided here is based on
rates a number of valuable co-products the annual trade data published by the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics,
that could be made available to the
chemical industry. For example, the Government of India. The database can be searched by: Chemical Name/Harmonised Code to obtain the
by-product of Fischer-Tropsch Sustain- consolidated trade (import or export) in that item; or by Country to obtain the trade (import or export) in all
able Aviation Fuels (SAF) production chemicals and related products between India and that country.
is high-quality naphtha – with a share
about 15% – which is a perfect feed- ChemXchange
stock for steam crackers in the chemi- Open to all – no subscription required
cal industry. The modelling showed ChemXchange – the chemical exchange with a difference – is where you can identify your buyers and
that, depending on the future techno- supplyers on-line, any time. Listing in this unique platform is free to all advertisers in the print version
logy mix, approximately 1-mt to 2-mt of Chemical Weekly for a period of 12 months.
of bio-based naphtha could be expected For more information contact: 022-24044471 / 72
Fig. 1: European biomass demand for biofuel production (mt) as a side-product of bio-based SAF pro- Email: corporate@chemicalweekly.com or log on to chemicalweekly.com
Source: nova-Institut GmbH duction, within the already calculated

176 Chemical Weekly February 4, 2025 Chemical Weekly February 4, 2025 177

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