Techno-economic Assessment of Biomass-derived 3-HP for Bio-based Chemicals

This study presents a continuous biochemical process for producing 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP), an important platform chemical for bioplastics, using two renewable feedstocks including corn stover and brewer's spent grains. An integrated ionic liquid recovery unit allows catalyst recycling and reuse, enabling continuous operation. Biomass-to-3-HP conversion efficiencies of 25-27% were achieved for both feedstocks. A detailed techno-economic evaluation was carried out to assess the economic viability of the process. At an annual production capacity of 50,000 tonnes of 3-HP, the break-even selling price was estimated at $2,472 per tonne for corn stover and $2,643 per tonne for brewer’s spent grains-based plants. These findings demonstrate the economic feasibility of waste biomass-derived 3-HP as a sustainable alternative to petrochemical-based plastics.