Renewable feedstocks
The latest chemistry news and research on renewable feedstocks, including bio-based chemicals, biofuels, recycling and the circular economy, from the Royal Society of Chemistry's magazine, Chemistry World
-
ResearchHow ‘magic mud’ gives baseball pitchers a better grip
Unique mud formula coats and roughens baseballs, boosting control and grip for pitchers
-
FeatureSeaweed success
Scientists and entrepreneurs are sowing the seeds for a new kind of industry. Hayley Bennett explores the buzz around the marine ‘biorefinery’ business – and what might hold it back
-
ResearchZinc–air batteries created from paper industry waste
Lignin- and cellulose-based zinc-air batteries overcome longstanding electrocatalyst performance and electrolyte stability challenges
-
ResearchRecycled construction waste could cut cement and steel’s carbon footprint
Cement can be regenerated during steel recycling in an electric arc furnace
-
ResearchCold plasma converts biogas into long-chain hydrocarbon feedstocks
Waste gases from landfills could be turned into valuable chemical feedstocks
-
-
OpinionTo reach net zero, we need to close the loop on combustion
A systems thinking approach to decarbonising our economies presents chemistry with a key challenge
-
NewsPioneering ammonia-powered ship shows off a greener future for shipping at Cop28
Greener shipping on the horizon but regulations mean no port will take ships powered by ammonia yet
-
NewsLego struggles to find the right chemistry to replace oil-based virgin plastics
Danish toymaker commits to redouble efforts to produce more sustainable polymers for Lego pieces
-
BusinessBio-based plastics compete for space
From drop-in replacements to new polymers, what role will renewable materials play in a sustainable future?
-
ResearchRecycling wind turbine blades by breaking them down into their constituent chemicals
Thermoset plastics that normally end up in landfill can be selectively depolymerised using a ruthenium catalyst
-
ResearchRedesigned biopolymer solves thermal stability challenge
Chemical redesign makes PHAs easier to process and recycle
-
ResearchRapid alternating polarity brings new life to 189-year-old electrochemical reaction
A more sustainable approach to the Kolbe reaction could reduce chemists’ reliance on oil-derived materials
-
FeatureThe complex chemistry of making paper
Renewable, recyclable and biodegradable, paper is the ultimate sustainable material. Victoria Atkinson looks at the clever chemistry that turns trees into sheets
-
BusinessTransforming sawdust with ultrasound
Bio-Sep can break down biomass and extract valuable molecules without damaging them
-
ResearchWaste plastics unzipped into useful pieces
Chemical recycling of polyethylene produces feedstock usually obtained from crude oil.
-
ResearchLight-driven molecular motor made from entirely renewable resources
Green synthetic strategy leads to first light-driven molecular motor from wood biomass
-
OpinionReverse combustion is preparing for takeoff
Where burning hydrocarbons is unavoidable, creating them from atmospheric carbon is a promising option
-
ResearchStruvite recovered from wastewater could be used to suppress wildfires
Experiments show struvite-suspended hydrogel is as good at fighting fire as a commercial ammonium polyphosphate-based formulation
-
OpinionChemical upcycling
Economics is central to invigorating the transition to a circular economy for plastic