Avaliação das tecnologias e potencial econômico para produção de ácido bio succinico

Abstract

Succinic acid (SA), also known as butanedioic acid, has been used as a raw material in the food and pharmaceutical industries, in addition to its potential utilization in the production of biodegradable polymeric materials such as polybutene succinate, polyamides, and green solvents, as well as plasticizers, paints, and varnishes. Despite the petrochemical route currently accounting for about 97% of the total production of succinic acid, production using biomass as a feedstock has become competitive in light of petroleum price fluctuations and global concerns about the use of fossil-based raw materials and their impact on greenhouse gas emissions. This research evaluated the routes for obtaining biosuccinic acid from biomass, including the necessary pretreatment to make the material available for fermentation, the synthesis technologies of BioSA using various microorganisms, and the proposition of a separation and purification process to obtain the product with adequate purity. Simultaneously, the study assesses the global market, analyzing opportunities and threats for BioSA production routes as a substitute raw material for the production of 1,4-butanediol (BDO) and polybutylene succinate (PBS), and as a substitute for maleic anhydride, indicating its competitive advantage and key production bottlenecks. Several microorganisms have been studied and analyzed in BioSA production. Escherichia coli and Actinobacillus succinogenes show the greatest potential for the fermentation process, being the microorganisms with the highest number of patents and research works conducted, and therefore, they should be the focus of our studies regarding optimal conditions to increase BioSA yield and productivity. The main competitors operating in the global biosuccinic acid market include BioAmber, Reverdia, and Succinity, as well as other companies investing in research and development of new technologies for biosuccinic acid production. It is expected that the market will continue to thrive in the coming years, with growth forecasts of approximately 6,0% per year until 2027.