A review on enzymatic reactive distillation focusing on packing functionalization: Retracing two decades of bioprocess intensification.

Enzymatic Reactive Distillation (ERD) is an innovative process that integrates enzymatic catalysis with reactive distillation to enhance the sustainability of an already intensified unit. This review examines the last two decades of research on ERD, highlighting advancements in enzyme immobilization techniques, column design, and process modeling. The transition of ERD modes and scales are discussed, exploring the challenges related to enzyme stability, mass transfer limitations, and process control. In the absence of industrial applications, recent pilot-scale studies that affirm the viability of ERD as a sustainable alternative to traditional biocatalytic and reactive distillation processes are discussed. Additionally, novel technologies regarding biocatalytic coatings, 3D-printed structured packings, and ultrasound-assisted ERD are presented as promising avenues for this process development. This review hence provides a comprehensive overview of the development and potential of ERD in biochemical engineering, providing suggestions for future research to support its industrial adoption.