What are the advantages of bio-based materials for decarbonizing industry?
Time is running out to limit global warming to 1.5°C by 2100. It is vital to decarbonize all industrial sectors. One way to achieve this is by using plant-based, renewable raw materials, which absorb CO2 as they grow.
As a leader in materials chemistry, Arkema has put these bio-based alternatives at the heart of its innovation strategy. With longstanding expertise in castor chemistry and a proactive R&D policy, Arkema is working closely with its markets to develop a wide range of low-carbon solutions that combine responsible sourcing with high performance.
Why using bio-based materials?
While global industry still relies heavily on fossil and mineral raw materials, the climate emergency and the increasing scarcity of these non-renewable resources require us to make profound changes to our supply streams. Alongside measures relating to energy efficiency, sustainability and recyclability, part of the solution lies in using bio-based, renewable materials with a significantly smaller carbon footprint. “It is up to the materials chemistry sector to drive this change and realize its full potential,” says Armand Ajdari, the group’s R&D Director.
“We have two major approaches at our disposal: developing new pathways and processes based on renewable bio-based raw materials or biotechnologies from the outset, and identifying bio-based substitutes that can be integrated into existing processes at acceptable costs.” Arkema has long identified bio-based materials as a pillar of its strategy and is committed to this twofold ambition.
The complex challenge of increasing the use of bio-based materials
Despite the decarbonization potential of renewable materials, increasing their use in the chemicals industry is complex. In 2024, Arkema’s solutions made with more than 25% bio-based materials accounted for around 10% of its revenues. This figure has remained stable for several years and is among the highest in the market, thanks to the Group’s expertise in castor oil chemistry. “To increase the share of bio-based products, we are identifying value chains with good potential for scaling up, and showing the markets we can provide solutions that are as effective as their fossil-based equivalents,” explains Armand.
Once we have established their technical feasibility, we must anticipate the vital issue of sourcing sufficient bio-based raw materials for industrial production. “In conjunction with the Purchasing and Sustainable Development teams, we are constantly monitoring a wide range of resources. We file anticipatory patents on some technologies, paying close attention to the criterion for non-competition with food resources,” continues the R&D Director.
When a resource is available in small volumes, the mass balance approach can be a means of incorporating it into production chains and supporting those customers looking to source bio-based feedstock. The key is to balance market demand with the feasibility of an affordable solution and the ability to source the materials at any given time!
What is the carbon footprint of bio-based materials? The answer can be found in life cycle assessment (LCA).
To support its sustainable development goals, Arkema has introduced a life cycle assessment (LCA) process for the products and solutions it puts on the market. The Group’s methodology complies with international standards (ISO 14040 and 14067), which are used to quantify each product’s environmental impacts, such as the carbon footprint related to greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and resource use.
The LCA covers the entire value chain from cradle to grave (the extraction of the raw materials to the product’s end of life) or, more generally from cradle to gate—when the product leaves the factory. This approach quantifies the environmental impact of using different materials and energies as well as emissions and identifies the main opportunities to reduce a product’s environmental footprint.
LCAs have shown that sourcing has a significant impact on the carbon footprint of Arkema’s products and that using bio-based materials in place of fossil fuels significantly reduces the carbon footprint of products brought to market (see PA11 and PA12 case studies below). An LCA provides objective, quantified data for comparing the environmental impact of recyclable solutions.
At the end of 2024, 68% of Arkema’s sales volumes were covered by LCAs; the goal is to reach 90% by 2030.
Learn more about bio-based materials
What is a bio-based product?
Bio-based chemistry is a strategic response to contemporary sustainable development challenges. It aims to replace fossil resources, such as oil and natural gas, with renewable raw materials derived from biomass (plants, agricultural residues, algae, etc.).
This substitution not only diversifies the sources of raw materials, thereby reducing dependence on fossil resources and price volatility, but also contributes to the transition to a circular, low-carbon economy.
Bio-based products offer a major environmental advantage: their life cycle incorporates biogenic carbon captured by plants through photosynthesis. By using this renewable carbon, these products help to limit net COâ‚‚ emissions from fossil fuels, thereby contributing to reducing the overall carbon footprint of industry and consumers.
Are bio-based materials necessarily recyclable or biodegradable?
It is essential to distinguish between the bio-based nature of a material and its end-of-life properties. A bio-based product is not automatically recyclable or biodegradable.
Some bioplastics, although derived from renewable resources, have the same molecular structure as conventional plastics (such as polyethylene, PET, or PVC). These materials can be integrated into existing recycling streams without modifying the processes.
Other bio-based materials, however, are not compatible with current recycling infrastructure and require specific recovery methods, such as industrial composting or methanization, provided that they are also biodegradable according to current standards.
Each bio-based product must therefore be assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account its composition, technical performance, and end-of-life scenario.