Issue 8, 2021

A review of thermal and thermocatalytic valorization of food waste

Abstract

Food waste (FW) remains a global challenge due to the increasing demand for food production to support a growing global population and the lack of effective waste management technologies for recycling and upcycling. Unique compounds in FW – such as carbohydrates, proteins, lignin, fats, and extractives – can be repurposed to produce important biobased fuels, bulk chemicals, dietary supplements, adsorbents, and antibacterial products, among many others. We review the thermal and thermocatalytic FW valorization strategies and the fundamental pathways. We discuss the potential integration of various valorization processes, their economic viability, the technical and marketing challenges, and the need for further developments. By overcoming several technical hurdles, repurposing FW into modular plants can create exciting economic and environmental prospects.

Graphical abstract: A review of thermal and thermocatalytic valorization of food waste

Article information

Article type
Critical Review
Submitted
10 févr. 2021
Accepted
08 avr. 2021
First published
08 avr. 2021

Green Chem., 2021,23, 2806-2833

Author version available

A review of thermal and thermocatalytic valorization of food waste

E. O. Ebikade, S. Sadula, Y. Gupta and D. G. Vlachos, Green Chem., 2021, 23, 2806 DOI: 10.1039/D1GC00536G

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