Life Cycle Assessment of Dimethyl Carbonate Production Processes: Oxidative Carbonylation VS. Direct Synthesis from CO2

Oxidative carbonylation of methanol is currently the most widely production process of dimethyl carbonate (DMC). However, DMC’s current annual production (90000kt/y) could be boost to 30 Mt/y if a direct industrial CO₂ route is found to replace the current CO path. This could be achieved through electrochemical techniques, as they have the capacity of supplying the necessary energy for CO₂ valorization at mild conditions. Additionally, such techniques can obtain their electricity requirements from renewable sources.  The aim of this work is to compare the environmental sustainability of two different DMC processes:the  industrial route based on oxidative carbonylation of methanol patented by EniChem and electrosynthesis from captured CO₂. A comparative life cycle assessment has been conducted from ‘cradle to gate’. Among the different results obtained, the global warming potential results indicate that a minimum yield of 20% is needed in order for the electrosynthesis route to be competitive with the industrial path.