Alternatives for the Production of Levulinic Acid Obtained From Biomass

Abstract

Levulinic acid is a reactive polar organic compound deemed as a building block for several products with relevant applications, replacing traditional substances in the petrochemical industry. Considered a platform molecule, levulinic acid is industrially produced from the acid hydrolysis of biomass – mainly plant-based – using hydrochloric or sulfuric acid in homogenous catalysis. However, considering the World Market for levulinic acid is expected to reach US$ 71.9 million in 2027, growing annually at 14.1%, and its applications in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, plasticizers, cosmetics, and food additives, the development of alternative production processes is sought. Hence, a survey was performed on publications considering the alternatives for biomass-based levulinic acid production processes: I) alternative homogenous catalysts to avoid using noble materials in the reactor; II) heterogeneous catalysis to facilitate and reduce the catalyst’s separation and recovery costs; III) ionic liquids, exploiting their high solvency, stability, and catalytic capacity. Additionally, biomass alternatives for obtaining levulinic acid are presented, showing that other agricultural residues and animal biomass options are being considered, targeting process flexibilization while reducing costs and producing derivatives at more competitive prices. Thus, it can be stated that levulinic acid is an important platform molecule for biorefineries’ economics, replacing fossil fuels with renewable raw materials.