Bio-based Hexane

How Bio-based Hexane is Produced

Key Pathways:

1. Ethanol-to-Hexane Route
• Bioethanol is dehydrated to ethylene, which undergoes oligomerization (C3–C6 range), isomerization, and hydrogenation to yield n-hexane and isomers.
2. Fatty Acid Decarboxylation
• Natural oils undergo deoxygenation and decarboxylation to form linear alkanes like n-hexane using catalytic hydrotreatment.
3. Fischer–Tropsch (FT) Synthesis
• Biomass-derived syngas (CO + H₂) is converted via FT catalysis into hydrocarbon mixtures, with C6 cuts (hexane range) separable via distillation

Feedstocks: Bioethanol, non-edible vegetable oils (e.g., jatropha, castor), lignocellulosic biomass gasification products.

Case Study: Global Bioenergies – Hexane from Bio-Isobutene Platform

Highlights:

• Developed a fermentation-based platform to convert sugars to bio-isobutene, which is subsequently converted to C6 hydrocarbons including hexane.
• Targeted bio-based solvents for industrial and cosmetic use.

Timeline & Outcome:

• 2015: Bio-isobutene pilot-scale trials begin.
• 2018: Initial C6 hydrocarbon (bio-hexane) recovery demonstrated at lab scale.
• 2022–2024: Integrated pilot for bio-isobutene to bio-hexane process with focus on green solvents and fragrances.

Global Startups Working on Bio-based Hexane

• Global Bioenergies (France) – Converts sugars to isobutene and downstream C6-C8 alkanes.
• Neste (Finland) – Produces hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuels containing n-hexane–like fractions.
• LS9 (USA) – Previously developed microbial fatty acid pathways that yield C6–C10 alkanes, including hexane.
• Shell (NL/India) – R&D on bio-LPG and light alkanes from alcohols; applicable for hexane-range products.

India’s Position

India heavily uses petrochemical hexane for vegetable oil extraction (e.g., soybean, cottonseed), with limited awareness or availability of bio-alternatives:Potential use of non-edible oils for hydrotreatment routes exists, but no industrial production yet.India’s oil extraction sector provides a strong market for bio-hexane once availability and regulatory acceptance are aligned.

Commercialization Outlook

Market & Demand

• Global hexane market: ~$2.3 billion (2024), expected to reach ~$3.2 billion by 2030.
• Applications:
• Edible oil extraction
• Pharma and food-grade solvents
• Adhesives, coatings, degreasers

Key Drivers

• Tightening solvent regulations in food and pharma.
• Interest in low-toxicity and biodegradable alternatives.
• Demand for renewable solvents in cosmetics, paints, and green chemistry.
• Global ethanol oversupply enabling oligomer-based routes.

Challenges to Address

• Separation Complexity: Bio-based routes may yield hexane mixtures needing costly purification.
• Cost Parity: Bio-hexane is ~30–50% costlier than fossil hexane due to feedstock and process steps.
• Regulatory Clarity: Especially for food-use solvents, bio-hexane must meet residue and toxicology standards.
• Limited Demonstrations: Few commercial references make industrial buyers hesitant.

Progress Indicators

• 2015–2018: Global Bioenergies shows lab-scale conversion of isobutene to hexane-range solvents.
• 2020–2023: Neste and other HVO players generate hexane-range byproducts from renewable diesel platforms.
• India: Academic-level proof-of-concept for ethanol-to-hexane ongoing; no startup-level commercialization yet.

Bio-based hexane via ethanol-to-C6 oligomerization is at TRL 6–7, with early pilot demonstrations. Routes via HVO or fatty acid decarboxylation are at TRL 7–8. Biomass gasification + FT synthesis remains at TRL 5–6 for hexane selectivity.

Conclusion

Bio-based hexane presents a significant opportunity to replace toxic, fossil-based solvents in industries like edible oil, pharma, and coatings. Global Bioenergies and Neste have shown viable pathways from sugars and fats to C6 hydrocarbons. India, as a major hexane consumer, is primed for adoption with the right ethanol backbone and regulatory clarity. As green solvent mandates and consumer safety pressures mount, bio-hexane could transition from specialty solvent to a mainstream sustainable option — particularly in food-grade and pharmaceutical sectors.

Wish to have bio-innovations industry or market research support from specialists for climate & environment? Talk to BioBiz team – Call Muthu at +91-9952910083 or send a note to ask@biobiz.in