Alternative Sources Could Provide up to 62% of Total Feedstock Needs in Chemical Sector by 2050听
A new study led by a team of researchers from Khalifa University has found significant changes in raw materials used for energy production could reduce global reliance on fossil fuels by about 60% by 2050, presenting more opportunities for a sustainable energy future.听听
Published in Nature Communications, the study addresses non-energy use of fossil fuels in the chemical industry, and the role of fossil fuels beyond production. A global integrated assessment model analyzed various climate scenarios, revealing alternative sources could provide up to 62% of total feedstock needs in the chemical sector by 2050, with substantial scale-up of biomass utilization and carbon capture technologies.听
听
Titled 鈥楿naddressed non-energy use in the chemical industry can undermine fossil fuels phase-out,鈥� the estimates approximately 13% of fossil fuels worldwide are utilized for non-combustion purposes, primarily as feedstocks for the production of high-value chemicals.听听
The research team includes Dr. Pedro Rua Rodriguez Rochedo, Assistant Professor, Management Science & Engineering, and Research and Innovation Center on CO2 and Hydrogen (RICH Center), Khalifa University, as well as Dr. Marianne Zanon-Zotin, Dr. Luiz Bernardo Baptista, Dr. Rebecca Draeger, Dr. Alexandre Szklo, and Dr. Roberto Schaeffer from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.听
As the demand for fossil fuels in energy systems declines, the chemical sector must adapt to ensure continued supply of materials essential for various industries, including renewable energy technologies.听
听
The study 星空传媒 three trends in the refining sector, which is expected to become more efficient and technologically advanced due to stricter environmental policies. The overall capacity of refineries will decrease over time, resulting in less oil production whereas new refineries will utilize advanced technology, enabling them to process various types of oil more effectively. Additionally, while the total production of chemicals from refineries will decline, the remaining refineries will be more closely integrated with petrochemical production.听
听
The researchers recommend policymakers consider the complex interdependencies between energy and materials production when formulating climate strategies.听听
Dr. Pedro Rochedo, said: 鈥淭he chemical sector has a dual role: while it contributes significantly to carbon emissions, it holds the potential to support deep decarbonization strategies. By adopting innovative technologies and sustainable practices, the sector can play a pivotal role in mitigating climate change. Our results indicate that scenarios with tighter limits on global biomass availability, the use of carbon capture and storage (CCS), and biogenic carbon storage require urgent and large-scale climate action. Additionally, this research not only sheds light on an often-overlooked aspect of fossil fuel use but also provides a roadmap for future climate action that includes both energy and material considerations.鈥澨�
Alisha Roy
Science Writer
