Case study for a palm biomass biorefinery utilizing renewable non-food sugars from oil palm frond for the production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) bioplastic

• Published in: Journal of Cleaner Production
• Main Author: Zahari M.A.K.M.; Ariffin H.; Mokhtar M.N.; Salihon J.; Shirai Y.; Hassan M.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2015
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84925342865&doi=10.1016%2fj.jclepro.2014.10.010&partnerID=40&md5=583c1200a2fa5afc060d6568ad0cc2de
• ISSN: 09596526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.10.010

In this paper, we assess the economic viability of renewable non-food sugars from oil palm frond (OPF) as fermentation feedstock for the production of the bioplastic, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), P(3HB) within an integrated palm biomass biorefinery. The production cost of P(3HB) is estimated based on 9900 t/y of the potential amount of renewable sugars that can be produced from OPF in a typical palm oil mill in Malaysia. Based on the case study, approximately 99,780 t/y of renewable sugars could be produced from 10 neighbouring palm oil mills, each with the capacity to process an average of 200,000 t/y of fresh fruit bunch (FFB). With 20,000 t/y of P(3HB) production, the specific production cost of P(3HB) using renewable sugars from OPF is estimated at $ 3.44/kg P(3HB), which is 41% lower compared with that produced from commercial glucose. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.