The green chemicals company today published the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data for its bio-based MPG, looking at the full life cycle (cradle-to-grave). This compares Avantium’s PlantMPG™ with existing MPG production routes from fossil feedstocks (propylene from naphtha and shale) and renewable feedstocks (glycerin from soy and rapeseed).
MPG is a chemical intermediate used in a variety of applications, including in functional fluids and unsaturated polyester resins. These are used in fibreglass-reinforced plastics for construction, marine and transport applications, as well as food, feed and pharmaceuticals, among others.
The low emissions of plant-based MPG™ are largely due to the use of plant-based raw materials (sugar beets) and the resulting biogenic nature, whereby carbon is absorbed and stored by the sugar beets and re-entered into the natural carbon cycle at the end of plant-based MPG™’s life. Moreover, PlantMPG™’s non-renewable primary energy requirement is significantly lower (-41% to -82%) compared to other fossil and renewable MPG alternatives. PlantMPG™ also outperforms all established MPG technologies in water consumption (-13% to -99%).
A summary of the LCA, which also covers other relevant impact categories, is available on Avantium’s website.
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