Technological watch

The high life expectancy of the world population provokes increase in demand for food and energy. As a result, the intense industrialization and the application of fossil sources is responsible for high levels of CO2 emission and waste generation. To mitigate the CO2 emission a practical solution at the very short term is urgently needed. The capture of CO2 and its application in chemical processes for the valorization of residual biomass are of great importance nowadays. The application of CO2 in the selective carboxylation of furoic acid for the production of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), a bio-based monomer, has been an important step towards obtaining biopolymers to replace petroleum-based plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In this project report, we discuss on the current challenges for obtaining the 2,5-FDCA precursor from the furfural in two main routes involving oxidation and carboxylation via heterogeneous catalysis. We present the main objectives and discuss the importance of this research for the development of more sustainable processes.