article · Engineering Reports
Global challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and the exhaustion of fossil fuel reserves necessitate alternatives to petroleum-derived materials. Plants and microbes constitute roughly 99 percent of the living biomass on Earth, offering a vast reservoir of bio-resources. Natural materials attract substantial interest because of their recyclability, biodegradability, environmental compatibility, and benign characteristics. These properties are particularly valuable in addressing environmental hazards like airborne nano-plastic and micro-plastic pollution. Recent scientific progress demonstrates that plant-derived polymers, resins, and composites can serve as functional and environmentally friendly substitutes for conventional petroleum commodities. In addition, advancements in biomass utilisation encompass renewable green energy solutions, bio-plastics, and novel technologies designed for water treatment.
Depleting fossil fuel reserves and accelerating environmental crises such as plastic contamination and water scarcity demand non-petroleum solutions. Using abundant plant and microbial biomass to manufacture biodegradable plastics, resins, and clean energy can lower reliance on fossil resources, reduce harmful micro-plastic pollution, and support cleaner water systems.
The review points to potential applications in bio-plastics, industrial resins, composite manufacturing, green energy, and water purification. Potential industrial users include chemical producers, materials manufacturers, and environmental remediation operators. Because the text outlines a broad review of developments rather than specific product trials or production economics, the technologies represented appear to span early-stage research to applied development.
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ABSTRACT The most critical challenges confronting humanity's future is climatic change, water scarcity, and the impending end of the petroleum era are primarily driven by the depletion of fossil fuel reserves, rising global temperatures, and the rapid growth of the global population. Bio‐resources have emerged as a promising alternative for reducing dependence on petroleum‐derived materials. Interestingly, plants and microbes collectively account for approximately 99% of Earth's total living biomass. The scientific interest in environmentally friendly and sustainable materials is based on their compatibility, biodegradability, recyclability, and benign behavior, natural‐source materials. Airborne nano‐plastic pollution has become a significant environmental concern, adding to the existing challenges posed by water pollution, micro‐plastics, and other harmful contaminants that endanger both living organisms and ecosystems. This work explores the replacement of petroleum‐derived chemicals and fuels with naturally derived biomass products, emphasizing a future free from petroleum and fossil fuels. It discusses recent developments in plant‐derived polymers, resins, and composites, showcasing their potential as functional and eco‐friendly substitutes for conventional petroleum‐based materials. It highlights various advancements, including green energy solutions, the development of renewable resource‐based materials, bio‐plastics, plant‐based alternatives, and innovative water treatment technologies.
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DOI: 10.1002/eng2.70108
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