How Renewable Epichlorohydrin is Produced
Key Pathway:
- Glycerol to Dichlorohydrin (DCH)
- Crude or refined glycerol is reacted with hydrochloric acid to form dichlorohydrin isomers.
- Ring Closure to Epichlorohydrin
- DCH is dehydrochlorinated in an alkaline medium (NaOH/KOH) to form epichlorohydrin via intramolecular ring closure.
This glycerol-based route avoids propylene and reduces by-product waste, cutting chlorinated organics and carbon footprint.
Feedstocks: Biodiesel-derived crude glycerol, edible oil waste glycerol, or bio-fermented glycerol.
Case Study: Solvay’s Epicerol® Technology
Highlights:
- Developed and commercialized a bio-based epichlorohydrin technology (Epicerol®) using glycerol as feedstock.
- Achieved 40–60% lower CO₂ emissions compared to propylene-based process.
- Licensed globally, including in China and India.
Timeline & Outcome
- 2007: Solvay launched first Epicerol® plant in Thailand.
- 2012: Licensed technology to Advanced Biochemical (Thailand) Co. Ltd. (ABT).
- 2022: Over 100,000 tons/year of RECH capacity installed globally.
- 2024: Multiple applications in green epoxy resins and composites.
Global Startups and Innovators in RECH
- Advanced Biochemical (Thailand) – World’s largest RECH producer using Epicerol® process.
Link - Dow–Shandong Rike Chemical JV (China) – Commercial-scale RECH from glycerol for epoxy resins.
- Metabolic Explorer (France) – Developing modular biorefineries with ECH as one of the target molecules.
- GlyEco (USA) – Glycerol upcycling platforms with focus on chlorinated intermediates.
India’s Position
India is among the top producers of biodiesel and crude glycerol, but has no large-scale RECH plant yet.
- CSIR–IICT and IIT Bombay have published on glycerol-to-ECH conversions using both acid and enzymatic routes.
- Indian chemical majors like Atul Ltd and SRF have expressed interest in bio-based epoxy chains, but rely on imported RECH.
- Potential: Domestic RECH production using waste glycerol from edible oil and biodiesel plants.
Commercialization Outlook
Market & Demand
- Global ECH market: ~$3.2 billion (2024), projected to reach ~$4.5 billion by 2030.
- Major applications:
- Epoxy resins (electronics, paints, adhesives)
- Water treatment chemicals
- Textile auxiliaries and elastomers
Key Drivers
- Rising demand for epoxy resins in electronics and renewables.
- Surging glycerol oversupply from global biodiesel industries.
- EU and US regulations pushing for greener chemical intermediates.
- Corporate demand for low-carbon coatings and composites.
Challenges to Address
- Chlorine Use: Despite renewable feedstock, process still involves HCl and NaOH.
- Scale Economics: Large-scale RECH plants need glycerol of consistent purity.
- Process Waste: Brine management and residual chlorinated by-products.
- Price Sensitivity: While RECH is cost-competitive at scale, initial setup CAPEX remains high.
Progress Indicators
- 2007: Epicerol® process first commercialized by Solvay.
- 2012–2020: Thailand and China plants achieve >100,000 tons/year capacity.
- 2022: EU-funded Horizon 2020 projects support RECH adoption in composites.
- India (2023–2024): IIT-Bombay and CSIR-IICT publish catalytic routes; biodiesel clusters generate >250 KTPA glycerol.
- 2025: Anticipated interest from India’s chemical parks for modular RECH tech licensing.
TRL 9 (fully commercial), with installations in Asia and Europe. Enzymatic and catalytic upgrades remain at TRL 5–6 (lab to pilot).
Conclusion
Renewable epichlorohydrin provides a high-impact substitution for petrochemical ECH in epoxy resins and coatings. With successful commercialization by Solvay and ABT, it demonstrates how industrial glycerol can be valorized into critical platform chemicals. India, with its strong glycerol base and specialty chemical demand, stands well-placed to localize RECH production. As demand for sustainable electronics, coatings, and composites rises, RECH will be integral to the transition toward circular and climate-smart polymer industries.
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