Page 165 - CW E-Magazine (22-7-2025)

Special Report

A rapid wrap-up of what’s new in Operations,

Processes and Products

Renewable Raw Materials

Several promising approaches are referred
as sustainable alternatives. Chemical cata-
lysts and mechanical methods enhance
yield and production effi ciency. Fruit coat-
ing applications are discussed. Pickering
emulsion stabilisers are covered. Aspects
of consumer acceptability are covered.
(Chem. Eng. Jl., 2025, 509, 1 Apr, 161190;
DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2025.161190).
High-performance fully
bio-based dynamic covalent
supramolecular epoxy resin

X. Zhou et al have worked on high per-
formance epoxy resins based on renew-
able raw materials. Thus levulinic acid
(LA), having reacting carbonyl and car-
Cellulose (C) environmental footprint of the process boxyl groups, was considered. The resin
exhibits a glass transition temp. (Tg) of
are summarised. The market for MCC in 164°C, tensile strength of 111 MPa, and
Microcrystalline C (MCC) pharma, food, and cosmetics is rising. This tensile modulus of 1,864 MPa. This resin
production from agricultural work made use of rice straw and brewery
byproducts byproducts as sustainable alternative to
wood-based MCC. Pretreatment was
W.J. Kim et al have evaluated the envi- done to remove hemicellulose and lignin,
ronmental impacts through life cycle followed by bleaching and acid hydrolysis.
assessment. These authors have succeeded MCC yields were in the range of 25% and
in making pharma grade MCC through an 20%, respectively. The quality of MCC
optimised process. Strategies to minimise was confi rmed for commercial use. Tech- can be reprocessed, via degradation in an
no-economic feasibility alkaline environment, allowing for the
is reported. (Chem. Eng. recovery of the starting monomer, furan-
Jl., 2025, 507, 1 March, dimethyl acid (The reaction is between
160224; DOI: 10.1016/j. LA and furylmethylamine and one of
cej.2025.160224). furan dicarboxylic acid). (Green Chem.,
2025; DOI: 10.1039/D4GC06425A).
Cellulose
nanocrystals (CNC) Optimisation of bioethanol
production from sorghum
L. Zhang et al have repor- green malt and cane molasses
ted sustainable production using saccharomyces bayanus
and emerging fruit coating (SA) in submerged cultivation
applications. Sulphuric acid
hydrolysis is the primary K.E. Sepulveda Leon et al have used the
method for making CNC. title mixed carbon sources. The concen-

Chemical Weekly July 22, 2025 165

Contents Index to Advertisers Index to Products Advertised