Build biorefineries and let the natural world power Mexico’s economy

There are plenty of reasons to prefer biological material from agricultural, forestry or municipal waste over fossil fuels. Plants are renewable and absorb carbon dioxide while they grow.  

Yet, biofuels are just one of many ways to replace fossil fuels in the chemical industry. For example, Mexico could produce 20 million tonnes of seaweed a year. This can be used to extract proteins and chemicals for making shoes, packaging or face cream. 

The more products made in the same facility, the better for the environment and the economy. Even better – they could generate energy and heat at the same time.  

A biorefinery producing 220 kilotonnes per annum costs about the same as a petrochemical facility: $750 million.  

Now, Mexico needs a national bioeconomy plan – removing barriers to make that investment work. The plan should carefully choose which plants to make into which chemicals – so the industry can be as sustainable and profitable as possible.   

The research is published in the Journal of Cleaner Production, and helps promote UN Sustainable Development Goals 8 (decent work and economic growth), 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), and 12 (responsible consumption and production).