Ex-ante life cycle assessment of polyethylenefuranoate (PEF) from bio-based monomers synthesized via a novel electrochemical process

An ex-ante Life Cycle Assessment was conducted to assess the cradle-to-factory gate environmental impact of polyethylenefuranoate (PEF). The two monomers used to synthesize a 100% bio-based PEF, namely 2,5- furan dicarboxylic acid (2,5-FDCA) and mono ethylene glycol (MEG), are synthesized simultaneously from a novel electrochemical reactor using bio-based raw materials. The technology is currently at a low Technological Readiness Level (TRL 2-3), and was scaled up to a theoretical TRL4 using process design. The purposes of this study are two folds: 1) to identify the significant environmental issues at an early development stage and 2) to gain insights into and experience of ex-ante assessment for a low-TRL bio-based innovation. The electrochemical technology investigated offers the opportunity of electrification of the chemical sector in the future. Ex-ante LCA was applied based on recently suggested TRL-frameworks. Primary data from the foreground system, covering the electrochemical reactor and the downstream purification processes, were obtained from lab-scale experiments and conceptual design. Five environmental indicators were assessed: namely, climate change, non-renewable energy use (NREU), acidification, eutrophication and land use. The results show that the electricity demand from the electrochemical reactor is the most important contributor of the environmental impacts, yet downstream processes contribute significantly as well. Future scenarios show that a carbon neutral electricity in 2050 could help to significantly reduce the climate change impact (by up to 60%). As a proof-of-concept, the assessed electrochemical reactor shows its important potential of the electrification of the chemical sector for monomer and polymer production, provided that a zero emission electricity in the future can be achieved.