Shape-selective zeolite catalysis for bioplastics production

• DOI: 10.1126/science.aaa7169
• Publication Date: 2015-07-03T16:03:16Z
• Authors: Michiel Dusselier; Pieter Van Wouwe; Annelies Dewaele; Pierre A. Jacobs; Bert F. Sels
• Keywords: Bioplastic; Petrochemical; Polylactic Acid; Production cost

Synthesizing more sustainable plastics Zeolites can help synthesize cheaper plastic precursors from biologically sourced feedstocks. Producing must compete with cost-effective petrochemical-based synthesis routes. Dusselier et al. developed a zeolite-based strategy to catalyze the transformation of microbially produced lactic acid into lactide, difficult-to-synthesize precursor biodegradable polylactic plastics. The selectivity nearly 80% is based on active site spatial confinement in zeolite micropores. This step substantially simplifies current high-cost routes and generates zero waste using reactor technologies. Science , this issue p. 78