Mexico’s biorefinery potential

Now, the country needs a new ‘bioeconomy plan’ to unlock its potential, according to a large study from the University of Surrey and Mexico’s Instituto Mexicano del Petroleo.

Professor Jhuma Sadhukhan, from Surrey’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, said: “In the drive to net zero, it’s easy to fixate on growing crops to fuel our homes or cars. Our study shows Mexico can do so much more.

“Around the world, businesses are turning biomass into shoe soles, or skin cream. With the right investment and the right plan, there is no reason Mexico cannot lead the world in this growing industry.”

Biofuels are just one of many ways to replace fossil fuels in the chemical industry. For example, Mexico could produce 20 million tpy of seaweed. This can be used to extract proteins and chemicals for making shoes, packaging or face cream.

The key is to build biorefineries – large plants that turn organic matter into chemicals. The more products made in the same facility, the better for the environment and the economy. They could also generate energy and heat at the same time.

A biorefinery producing 220 000 tpy costs about the same as a petrochemical facility: $750 million.

Now, Mexico needs a national bioeconomy plan – removing barriers to make that investment work. The plan should carefully choose which plants to make into which chemicals, so the industry can be as sustainable and profitable as possible.

The research is published in the Journal of Cleaner Production, and helps promote UN Sustainable Development Goals 8 (decent work and economic growth), 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), and 12 (responsible consumption and production).

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/refining/14022024/mexicos-biorefinery-potential/