Abstract
Diethyl carbonate (DEC) can be sustainably produced from bioethanol and captured CO 2 , and then used with crude glycerol to produce glycerol carbonate (GC), both of which are high-value products. DEC is an electrolyte in lithium batteries and a precursor for polycarbonates, while GC is a versatile, eco-friendly solvent in cosmetics and a precursor for polymers like polyurethanes and coatings. While these productions are techno-economically profitable, their environmental impacts have not been comprehensively studied. This study conducts the first-ever, novel, comprehensive cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) for DEC and GC production following the green chemistry principles. The overall results were within the lower range when compared to the literature. The global warming impact was lower than both the literature and the global chemical industry benchmarks. Uncertainty analysis showed that most impact categories' results were reliable. Utilizing bioethanol from lignocellulosic biomass and crude glycerol from the esterification of used vegetable oil was the best scenario, while using maize as a feedstock for bioethanol production instead of sugarcane was the worst case. Future recommendations include investigating other crops and lignocellulosic biomass for bioethanol. These results provide essential new environmental data to complement techno-economic assessments and support sustainable fine/specialty chemical production. ■ INTRODUCTION Diethyl carbonate (DEC) is a high-value product and a particularly promising compound due to its relatively low toxicity and excellent electrochemical stability. The price of DEC at a purity of 99.9 wt % is 1.0 USD/kg. 1 In 2025, the global DEC market was valued at USD 171 million and is projected to reach USD 538 million by 2032, driven by its diverse applications. 2 DEC plays a vital role in the development of advanced energy storage systems, particularly in lithium-ion batteries. 3 In addition to its electrochemical applications, DEC also serves as a reactive intermediate in the synthesis of urethanes, urea, pharmaceuticals, and polycarbonates. 3 DEC is a precursor of glycerol carbonate (GC). GC is a versatile, biobased chemical compound with diverse industrial applications , ranging from its use in beauty and personal care products, 4,5 coatings and adhesives, 5,6 to synthesis of polymer and polyurethanes, 5,7 among others. The price of GC at a purity of 99.99 wt % is at least 3.15 USD/kg. 4 In 2025, the global GC market was valued at USD 1.95 billion and is expected to grow at 8.4% from 2025 to 2033 to USD 3.72 billion. 8 The various applications and market value of DEC and GC highlight the necessity of efficient and sustainable production. However, traditional methods for producing DEC involve phosgene ethanolysis, ethanol oxidative carbonylation, and urea alcoholysis. 3 Since phosgene poses significant health hazards, utilizing greener alternatives offers clear advantages. A sustainable and promising method of producing DEC involves the valorization of ethanol and carbon dioxide (CO 2). This process effectively utilizes CO 2 , a major greenhouse gas (GHG), as a valuable feedstock rather than releasing it into the atmosphere, 3 representing a more environmentally responsible alternative to traditional DEC production. 9 This approach not only assists in mitigating climate change but also fosters a circular economy in the chemical industry. 10 Moreover, bioethanol is available in surplus: the global bioethanol market is anticipated to grow significantly, from USD 66.99 billion in 2025 to USD 178.9 billion by 2034, at a compound annual