Sustainable citric acid production

The carbon footprint is the result of a carbon accounting, or climate balance. Essentially, it measures the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. In particular it measures carbon dioxide, that are released due to the activities of a person, organization, or product.
The carbon footprint is usually measured in tons of CO2 equivalents (tCO2e). This has the advantage of including other greenhouse gas emissions in addition to carbon dioxide. Therefore methane, nitrous oxide, sulphur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons as well as nitrogen trifluoride are also taken into account. The reference value for the calculation is 1. For instance, 1 kg of methane (CH4) is equal to 25 kg CO2 equivalents (as of 2024). The use of a standardized unit allows the comparison of different GHGs (Greenhouse Gas Emission). Thus it is possible to quantify their overall impact on the climate.
Citric acid is one of the most widely used organic acids in the world, with applications ranging from acidity regulation in food and beverages to metal chelation in hydrometallurgical processes. Most of its production is currently derived from fermentative processes, using plant-derived carbon feedstocks. While these are currently dominant, there is an increasing need to develop closed-loop production systems that reduce process carbon footprint.
Citric acid production and logistics consuming considerable amounts of raw materials, processing aids and energy. Citric acid currently has in average a climate footprint between 6 to 9 kg CO₂e/kg Citric acid anhydrous (not taking in this calculation is the consumption of corn, each ton corn is binding 4 tons CO₂ in average).

Accordingly production of citric acid is depending on reliable and affordable access to corn or other carbohydrate feedstocks, chemicals, natural gas, electricity and transport ( SBT Scope 3 emission). Thereby, they generate large amounts of Greenhouse GHG and have an impact on climate change.

GHG emissions are a root cause of climate change. As an European Process technologist company in terms of manufacturing footprint of our clients and suppliers and sales, we support the European Green Deal, the sustainability strategy of the EU launched in 2019 with the aim to become climate neutral by 2050. We therefore closely follow the associated changes to regulations.

We aim to reduce GHG emissions significantly for our clients, suppliers and ours to achieve 2030 near-term Science Based Targets (SBTs). In fact, we want to reach short -term SBT for Scopes 1 and 2 before 2030

– Comprehensive utilization of saline and alkaline land resources – soil carbon sequestration
Pictures for using of fertilizer produced from waste water, other wastes and by-products from the citric acid factory in Jilin Province China before & after:

 

 

Waste water and some of by-products of citric acid production are made into bio-organic fertilizer without CO2 emission. As a nutrient source, it promotes plant growth and helps plants absorb CO2 and release O2.

Green Steam from Biogas fuel citric acid Factory in Jilin Province

Ultra-low emission transformation of natural gas units to produce steam
The biogas generated by the citric acid wastewater treatment process is discharged into the boilers

– Carbon dioxide capture and utilization
Capture, purify and liquefy all the carbon dioxide generated from the citric acid

Simplified Process Flow Diagram of a Carbon dioxide Capture System

Analyze the unique advantages of Jilin union citric acid plant

Raw material advantage:

  • The factory is located near the raw material production area
  • Short transportation distance
  • Green electricity
  • new energy advantages: wind and solar energy
    Carbon reduction achieved through production of Fetilizer
  • CO2 capture during citric acid production process
    Build a new citric acid factory
  • Systematic and supporting advantages, high degree of automation