Techno-economic assessment and life cycle analysis of a corncob-based xylitol biorefinery.

A detailed techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment of a proposed xylitol biorefinery from corncob biomass was performed. The calculations are based on a plant with 20 t of corncob as the feed. Based on the simulation analysis, the commercial plant was estimated to produce ∼209 t of food-grade xylitol annually. The selling price of xylitol was calculated to be Rs 375/kg of crystals, which would achieve a payback of less than 5 years with a high internal rate of return. The environmental impacts calculated from the plant showed GHG emissions of ∼7.67 kg CO2 eq/kg of the crystals with low water footprint and other ecotoxicities. The electrical and steam utilities involved in different unit operations within the plant were the major contributors towards CO2 emissions and the operating cost. The results illustrated that the plant would have favorable economics and can contribute towards sustainable xylitol production in India.