Bio-based value chains for chemicals, plastics and pharmaceuticals

This report aims to contribute to a better understanding of bio-based chemicals, plastics and pharmaceuticals in comparison to its fossil-based technologies, selecting representative value chains for each of the categories. This information is also needed to feed forward-looking modelling tools with aggregated data, which serves as a starting point for simulating different medium- to long-term development pathways for bio-based innovations. The selection of representative chemicals (organic chemicals that are not polymers) includes three widely produced compounds succinic acid, acetic acid, and propylene glycol. Polyethylene (PET) and polyurethane (PUR) were chosen to represent the bio-based plastics sector. Finally, levulinic acid and lactic acid were selected to represent bio-based pharmaceuticals.