Industrial chemicals from fermentation

This paper examines the potential for carbohydrate fermentation as an alternative process technology for bulk organic chemicals. Major limitations restricting the broadening of scope for fermentation chemicals are identified. These involve the high process energy requirements in pretreating abundant cellulosic feedstocks, low overall conversion, low weight yield and limited product applications of directly biosynthesized fermentation chemicals. The new development directions for chemicals derived directly and indirectly from carbohydrate fermentation are reviewed. The significance of their potential impact on the evolving organic chemical industry is projected.