Sonichem, a Scotland-based clean tech startup, aims to revolutionise industries by replacing petrochemicals with sawdust-derived alternatives.
- Petrochemicals are prevalent in many everyday products, posing significant environmental challenges due to their fossil fuel origins.
- A study highlighted the pharmaceutical industry’s heavy carbon footprint, surpassing even the automotive sector.
- Sonichem plans to launch its first commercial plant by 2027, processing 15,000 tonnes of forestry waste annually.
- The initiative seeks collaboration with manufacturers and the forestry sector to ensure sustainable resource management.
A clean tech startup from Scotland, Sonichem, is working towards replacing petrochemicals with alternatives derived from sawdust and woodchips. This initiative aims to address the significant reliance on fossil fuel-based products prevalent in various industries such as cosmetics, packaging, and pharmaceuticals. The company’s aspiration is to open its first commercial plant by 2027, capable of processing up to 15,000 tonnes of forestry material each year, aligning with the UK government’s goal to decrease dependence on fossil fuels.
Products based on petrochemicals are deeply embedded in everyday life, found in items ranging from medications like penicillin and cough syrup to cosmetics such as lipsticks and sun creams. The sheer reliance on these products has exacerbated their role as major contributors to global emissions. Remarkably, research from McMaster University has indicated that the pharmaceutical industry emits more carbon dioxide equivalent per million dollars than the automotive sector, highlighting the pressing need for alternative solutions.
Sonichem has developed a patented ultrasound process capable of breaking down forestry co-products into compounds that can serve as replacements for petrochemicals. This technological advancement has received backing through a feasibility study funded by the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre and the University of Glasgow. Andy West, Sonichem’s chief chemist, noted the potential of lignin, an organic polymer in wood, which is “highly versatile and can be used in almost any setting.”
The extraction of lignin has historically posed challenges due to its role as a structural element in trees, acting as a natural glue. Sonichem’s ultrasound technology presents a promising method to utilise lignin effectively as an alternative to petrochemical compounds. The company is now focusing on engaging with manufacturers and the forestry sector to ensure the right types of trees are grown, securing the necessary raw materials for future production.
Dr Liz Fletcher from the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre emphasised the economic prospects for Scotland’s forestry industry, which is currently valued at over £1bn. By harnessing biomass from sawmills, Sonichem exemplifies a forward-thinking approach in finding more valuable applications for otherwise low-value materials.
Sonichem’s pioneering approach marks a significant step in reducing petrochemical reliance, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
