Turning Orange Peels into Sustainable Alternatives to Crude Oil

Date:15 Sep 2015

Country: United Kingdom

Application

• Sustainable plastics production: Using limonene extracted from orange peels to create biodegradable polymers and plastics.
• Bio-based chemicals: Limonene as a building block for eco-friendly materials and potential pharmaceuticals, like paracetamol.

Description

This project explores using orange peel waste, primarily from the juice industry, as a renewable source for chemicals like limonene. Limonene, a versatile hydrocarbon, can be transformed into bio-based plastics, polyurethanes, and even medicines, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Researchers have developed greener extraction methods, such as microwave extraction, to increase yield and efficiency. The ultimate goal is to reduce reliance on crude oil and create eco-friendly products from citrus waste.

 

 

Pathway Description:

The process used in this project involves extracting limonene from orange peel, a waste product from the juice industry. Researchers at the University of York developed a microwave extraction technique, where orange peel and an organic solvent are heated in a microwave for 30 minutes. This method is faster, more energy-efficient, and yields higher-quality limonene compared to traditional distillation. The extracted limonene can then be used as a renewable feedstock to create polymers and other chemical products.