Resources

Unsustainable resources

Dependence on crude oil

Our historical and continued dependence on fossil fuels (crude oil, coal and natural gas) as a key source of carbon and energy in the production of pharmaceuticals is not sustainable. The chemical industry heavily relies on petrochemicals for its products, with resources split 50%-50% between energy and materials, making complete decarbonisation challenging. This dependence has significant environmental implications, including greenhouse gas emissions and the depletion of finite fossil fuel resources. In fact, the chemical industry is responsible for about 5% of global CO2 emissions (Gabrielli et al., 2023). To mitigate the effects of climate change the chemical industry needs to transition from fossil-based to renewable energy, and from fossil-based chemicals to renewable chemicals, as is commensurate with global net-zero strategies (IPCC, 2022) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN, 2015).

Although renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power could replace fossil fuels for energy, a source of renewable materials from which to make pharmaceuticals from is needed. The most promising option is to use biomass, converted into useful chemicals in biorefineries.

The development of biorefineries has the potential to offer sustainable chemical production. For instance, Gabrielli et al. (2023) have illustrated various pathways for net-zero chemical production, comparing conventional approaches to biorefineries as well as direct utilisation of CO2 and emission offsetting by carbon capture. It was found that biorefineries increase pressure on land and water use, but were lower in energy demand than carbon capture and utilisation. This assessment covered commodity chemicals (ammonia, methanol, and plastics). Biorefineries offer more value when it come to specialty chemicals.

The introduction of new biomass-based production methods in Europe encounters significant social, technical, and economic challenges that need to be addressed as well (Bennett, 2012). In particular, cost competitiveness with petrochemicals is a common hurdle. Government intervention will be needed to facilitate the greater adoption of renewable sources of energy and chemicals. Moving forward with their Net Zero Strategy, the United Kingdom's Department for Energy Security & Net Zero has published a Biomass Strategy 2023 Framework to displace fossil fuels and maintain a sustainable approach for biomass uses without compromising food security.