Replacement of Petroleum Based Products With Plant-Based Materials, Green and Sustainable Energy—A Review

Abstract

The most critical challenges confronting humanity's future is climatic change, water scarcity, and the impending end of the petroleum era are primarily driven by the depletion of fossil fuel reserves, rising global temperatures, and the rapid growth of the global population. Bio-resources have emerged as a promising alternative for reducing dependence on petroleum-derived materials. Interestingly, plants and microbes collectively account for approximately 99% of Earth's total living biomass. The scientific interest in environmentally friendly and sustainable materials is based on their compatibility, biodegradability, recyclability, and benign behavior, natural-source materials. Airborne nano-plastic pollution has become a significant environmental concern, adding to the existing challenges posed by water pollution, micro-plastics, and other harmful contaminants that endanger both living organisms and ecosystems. This work explores the replacement of petroleum-derived chemicals and fuels with naturally derived biomass products, emphasizing a future free from petroleum and fossil fuels. It discusses recent developments in plant-derived polymers, resins, and composites, showcasing their potential as functional and eco-friendly substitutes for conventional petroleum-based materials. It highlights various advancements, including green energy solutions, the development of renewable resource-based materials, bio-plastics, plant-based alternatives, and innovative water treatment technologies.