Renewable feedstocks
The latest chemistry news and research on renewable feedstocks, including bio-based chemicals, biofuels, recycling and the circular economy, from the Royal Society of Chemistry's magazine, Chemistry World
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FeatureSeaweed success
Scientists and entrepreneurs are sowing the seeds for a new kind of industry. Hayley Bennett explores the buzz around the marine ‘biorefinery’ business – and what might hold it back
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ResearchZinc–air batteries created from paper industry waste
Lignin- and cellulose-based zinc-air batteries overcome longstanding electrocatalyst performance and electrolyte stability challenges
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ResearchRecycled construction waste could cut cement and steel’s carbon footprint
Cement can be regenerated during steel recycling in an electric arc furnace
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ResearchCold plasma converts biogas into long-chain hydrocarbon feedstocks
Waste gases from landfills could be turned into valuable chemical feedstocks
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OpinionTo reach net zero, we need to close the loop on combustion
A systems thinking approach to decarbonising our economies presents chemistry with a key challenge
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NewsPioneering ammonia-powered ship shows off a greener future for shipping at Cop28
Greener shipping on the horizon but regulations mean no port will take ships powered by ammonia yet
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NewsLego struggles to find the right chemistry to replace oil-based virgin plastics
Danish toymaker commits to redouble efforts to produce more sustainable polymers for Lego pieces
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BusinessBio-based plastics compete for space
From drop-in replacements to new polymers, what role will renewable materials play in a sustainable future?
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ResearchRecycling wind turbine blades by breaking them down into their constituent chemicals
Thermoset plastics that normally end up in landfill can be selectively depolymerised using a ruthenium catalyst
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ResearchRedesigned biopolymer solves thermal stability challenge
Chemical redesign makes PHAs easier to process and recycle
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ResearchRapid alternating polarity brings new life to 189-year-old electrochemical reaction
A more sustainable approach to the Kolbe reaction could reduce chemists’ reliance on oil-derived materials
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FeatureThe complex chemistry of making paper
Renewable, recyclable and biodegradable, paper is the ultimate sustainable material. Victoria Atkinson looks at the clever chemistry that turns trees into sheets
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BusinessTransforming sawdust with ultrasound
Bio-Sep can break down biomass and extract valuable molecules without damaging them
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ResearchWaste plastics unzipped into useful pieces
Chemical recycling of polyethylene produces feedstock usually obtained from crude oil.
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ResearchLight-driven molecular motor made from entirely renewable resources
Green synthetic strategy leads to first light-driven molecular motor from wood biomass
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OpinionReverse combustion is preparing for takeoff
Where burning hydrocarbons is unavoidable, creating them from atmospheric carbon is a promising option
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ResearchStruvite recovered from wastewater could be used to suppress wildfires
Experiments show struvite-suspended hydrogel is as good at fighting fire as a commercial ammonium polyphosphate-based formulation
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OpinionChemical upcycling
Economics is central to invigorating the transition to a circular economy for plastic
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BusinessSearching for more sustainable resin materials
Paul Jones of Bitrez is the 2021 Chemistry World Entrepreneur of the Year