INFORM November/December 2025

14 • inform November/December 2025, Vol. 36 (10)

USING LIVING FACTORIES While research into improved chemical processes and catalysts continues, other studies have been looking into the use of bio chemical processes to convert crude glycerol. Biotransformation methods like fermentation take advantage of the natural activ ities of microorganisms to produce value-added chemicals. Biotransformation with fungi like Aspergillus niger and bacteria like Klebsiella pneumoniae is already being used to make sugar alcohols like erythritol, glyceric acid and an extremely use ful monomer called 1,3-propanediol. This monomer is widely used to make a variety of plastics and most of it being produced today is made through biotransformation of glycerol. There is a large global market for 1,3-propanediol, having grown from $490 million in 2009 to $870 million in 2024. Being able to con vert surplus crude glycerol into such a chemical would be an economic boon for producers. However, as is the case with chemical transforma tions, contaminants in crude glycerol are often problem atic. Dissolved salts and residual methanol can neutralize the microorganisms used to convert glycerol. On the other hand, MONG could be beneficial in some cases as it could be an extra source of carbon. Biodiesel producers can selec tively remove methanol for use in future transesterification. Also, some researchers are looking into genetically modifying microbes to make them more resistant to contaminants in crude glycerol.

CIRCLING BACK As research into chemical and biological transformations contin ues, one thing is clear. Being able to tap into existing streams of crude glycerol and make value-added products is certainly appeal ing. While large biodiesel producers can purify their co-produced glycerol, smaller companies are sometimes left with no alter native but to burn their stockpiled glycerol to produce energy. Finding ways to make use of this supply of glycerol would be tre mendously valuable, giving biodiesel producers another revenue stream and making production more sustainable. “If you are not able to valorize it, you lose a lot of money for sure,” said Capon. Being able to turn what has long been considered essen tially waste into valuable products also aligns with what moti vated people to start making biodiesel in the first place. A large portion of the materials that could be made with crude glyc erol are currently derived from petroleum. Opening the pipe line of crude glycerol could reduce demand for dwindling fossil fuel resources. With improved processes, better catalysts and optimized biotransformations, there could one day be inte grated biorefineries that take vegetable oil, including waste cooking oils, and turn out not only fuel but valuable plastics and other chemicals that drive modern life. George Hale is a freelance science and technology writer based in Pearland, Texas. He can be contacted at halegr@gmail.com.

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