Towards aromatics from biomass: Prospective Life Cycle Assessment of bio-based aniline

Bio-based chemicals are seen as a potential stepping-stone towards more sustainable chemical industry. However, while bio-based routes already available for various organic alcohols and acids, the direct production of aromatic compounds has been difficult so far. Recently, first process important aniline realized. The produces via two-stages: first, sugar is fermented by Corynebacterium Glutamicum to aminobenzoic acid, which then catalytically decarboxylated aniline. In this study, we present prospective Life Cycle Assessment evaluate environmental compared fossil-based production. Our results suggest that could reduce global warming impacts from cradle-to-grave 35–69% relative production, depending on type biomass feedstock. also substantially increase eutrophication acidification, trade-off commonly observed processes. Thus, novel route promising expands scope aromatics.