Conversion Economics of Forest Biomaterials: Risk and Financial Analysis of CNC Manufacturing

Abstract

Commercialization of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) presents opportunities for a wide range of new products. Techno‐economic assessments can provide insightful information for the efficient design of conversion processes, drive cost‐saving efforts, and reduce financial risks. In this study, we conducted techno‐economic assessments for CNC production using information from the USDA Forest Products Laboratory Pilot Plant, literature, and discussions with experts. Scenarios considered included variations related to greenfield, co‐location, and acid recovery. Operating costs, capital investment, minimum product selling price (MPSP), financial performance metrics, and the effect of drying and higher reaction yields on CNC manufacturing financials were estimated for each scenario. The lowest MPSP was found for the co‐location without acid recovery scenario, mainly driven by capital investment. Risk analysis indicates 95% probability of manufacturing costs lower than USD 5900/t of CNC (dry equivalent) and a MPSP lower than USD 7200/t of CNC (dry equivalent). Finally, based on our analysis, we provide guidance on process optimizations that can improve the economic performance of CNC manufacturing process. In addition, a risk profile of the CNC manufacturing business is provided. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Processing of Citrus Nanostructured Cellulose: A Rigorous Design‐of‐Experiment Study of the Hydrothermal Microwave‐Assisted Selective Scissoring Process

“…Although our materials are still unrefined, these values are similar to those reported by de Assis et al [11] (2.25 and 205.73 E kg À1 )f or nanocellulosep roduced by oxidation, soft acid hydrolysis, enzymatic treatment, and mechanical beating. Although our materials are still unrefined, these values are similar to those reported by de Assis et al [11] (2.25 and 205.73 E kg À1 )f or nanocellulosep roduced by oxidation, soft acid hydrolysis, enzymatic treatment, and mechanical beating.…”

“…To gain ad eeper insight in to the economicso ft his process, the cost of this microwavep rocess was estimated.T able 2 shows the energy cost calculated as E kg À1 of solid, assuming an energy price of 0.16 E kWh À1 .T he energy cost varied be-tween 13 and 373 E kg À1 of isolatedc ellulosic matter produced. Although our materials are still unrefined, these values are similar to those reported by de Assis et al [11] (2.25 and 205.73 E kg À1 )f or nanocellulosep roduced by oxidation, soft acid hydrolysis, enzymatic treatment, and mechanical beating. It is important to reiterate that our process relies on microwave processing alonew ithout the use of oxidants, acids, and/ or bleaching agents.…”

“…[2,3] For example,n anocellulose is used in food, [4] electronics, [5] composites, [6] hydrocolloids, [7,8] and biomedical materials. [10,11] According to TAPPI standard W13021, [12] nanocellulosei sa subset of nano-objects that ultimately stem from al arger family known as cellulose nanomaterials ( Figure 1). [10,11] According to TAPPI standard W13021, [12] nanocellulosei sa subset of nano-objects that ultimately stem from al arger family known as cellulose nanomaterials ( Figure 1).…”

“…[9] The market for nanocellulosei se xpected to grow 19 %b y 2019. [10,11] According to TAPPI standard W13021, [12] nanocellulosei sa subset of nano-objects that ultimately stem from al arger family known as cellulose nanomaterials (Figure 1). The primary wood-derived nanocellulose materials are i) cellulose nano-objects comprising cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs/NFCs) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs/NCCs), and ii)cellulose nanostructured materials comprising cellulosem icrofibrils (CMFs/MFCs)a nd cellulose microcrystals (CMCs/MCCs).…”

Techno‐economic analysis of hemicellulose extraction from different types of lignocellulosic feedstocks and strategies for cost optimization

“…It was assumed that the existing infrastructure present in the pulp mill would be shared to accommodate the hemicellulose plant. Most of the equipment costs were assumed based on the information from Peters and Timmerhaus, except the ethanol distillation column, nanofiltration, and utilities …”