<scp>Non‐fuel</scp> uses for fatty acid methyl esters
Dylan Karis, Robert Cain, Kenneth Gabriel Young, Alexander Shand, Trevor Holm, Ethan Springer
Abstract
Abstract For the past two decades, biodiesel has been the workhorse for pioneering green fuel alternatives to petroleum diesel. Recent advancements in decarboxylation of fatty acid feedstocks through hydrogen treatment or the use of fatty acid photo decarboxylase have led to increasing interest in renewable diesel as the next ‘state of the art’. This paradigm shift has caused concern among traditional biodiesel producers, whose infrastructure may not be suitable for renewable diesel, that the supply chain and market demand for biodiesel will be disrupted. However, there are numerous alternative (non‐fuel) uses for biodiesel, which has applications in solvents, lubricants, feedstock chemicals, and more. This review seeks to highlight the advantages of using biodiesel in these industries and the potential for further research and development. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.