Life Cycle Assessment of Electrochemically Synthesized 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid (FDCA) for Bio-Based PET Substitutes

Forschungsthema/Bereich

Sustainability Assessment, Life Cycle Assessment, Environmental Assessment

Typ der Abschlussarbeit

Master

Startzeitpunkt

-

Bewerbungsschluss

07.11.2025

Dauer der Arbeit

-

Beschreibung

The production of chemicals faces significant pressure to transition from fossil-based to renewable raw materials, with biomass based products playing a critical role in enabling this shift toward more sustainable chemical production. Developing sustainable alternatives, such as bio-based polyethylene furanoate (PEF), derived from renewable feedstocks like 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid (FDCA), is crucial to mitigate these impacts. Electrochemical synthesis methods for FDCA could present a potentially cleaner, more sustainable production route compared to conventional petrochemical processes. However, the true environmental benefits remain uncertain without comprehensive environmental sustainability assessments. This thesis addresses this knowledge gap, providing essential data and insights to guide future investments, policy-making, and industrial practices towards a potentially sustainable production of chemicals. This master thesis is connected to the ELOBIO project within the RESET research group. RESET consists of experts focusing on the environmental, economic, and social aspects of emerging sustainable energy technologies.

Responsibilities

• Literature review on FDCA, electrochemical synthesis and most recent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methods and approaches.

• Collect and analyze data related to raw materials, energy consumption, emissions, and waste streams for the electrochemical FDCA synthesis process and its supply chain.

• Model the life cycle stages (cradle-to-gate) in specialized LCA software (e.g., brightway, openLCA, Umberto).

• Conduct impact assessments, sensitivity and uncertainty analyses to determine critical environmental aspects and scenarios.

• Interpret the results, showing advantages and limitations of the electrochemical FDCA process compared to reference and optionally competing product systems.

Voraussetzung

Voraussetzungen an Studierende

• Interest in sustainable chemistry and LCA methodologies.
• Knowledge of Life Cycle Assessment methodologies.
• Independent and structured working approach.
• Familiarity or willingness to learn LCA software and data analysis techniques.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to work independently.
• Proficiency in English (spoken and written).

Studiengangsbereiche

• Ingenieurwissenschaften
  Chemieingenieurwesen & Verfahrenstechnik
• Naturwissenschaften und Technik
  Geoökologie
• Sonstiges
  Sonstige Studienbereiche
• Wirtschafts- und Rechtswissenschaften
  Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen

Betreuung

Titel, Vorname, Name

Lukas Lazar

Organisationseinheit

ITAS

E-Mail Adresse

lukas.lazar@kit.edu

Link zur eigenen Homepage/Personenseite

Website

Bewerbung per E-Mail

Bewerbungsunterlagen

• Anschreiben
• Lebenslauf
• Transcript of Records

E-Mail Adresse für die Bewerbung
Senden Sie die oben genannten Bewerbungsunterlagen bitte per Mail an lukas.lazar@kit.edu


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