Addressing adoption barriers and accelerating market deployment of new technologies†

Abstract

Although established technologies are technically sound and have good commercialization records, they are not always sustainable. With companies aiming to develop and deploy more sustainable technologies to the market, there are often overlooked or unidentified social, economic, and environmental risks associated with the adoption of these new technologies. This paper evaluates a new method for assessing potential barriers to market adoption for developing technologies. As a case study, an example technology was selected in the enzymatic recycling of polyethylene terephthalate to produce recycled ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. This technology was assessed for emissions to air, water, and waste streams; techno-economic viability; local economic impacts; life cycle; potential supply chain risks; and technology adoption rates using Bass diffusion curves. The framework can be used for evaluating the sustainability potential for the fast deployment of all technologies. It can also help decision makers such as investors, regulators, and manufacturers address the barriers associated with technology adoption and deployment to make informed decisions, as well as aid in technology transitions.