Vitamins: Emissions
Solvents, chromium waste and long energy-hungry syntheses
What this tab covers The greenhouse-gas footprint per tonne, split by lifecycle phase (feedstock, production, movement, use, end of life), the global total, other environmental impacts, levers and low-carbon routes, India's position, and where the investment opportunity lies.Per kg of vitamin, cradle-to-gate. Intensity: not published. Global total: not published.
Footprint by lifecycle phase
| Phase | Intensity | Share | Main sources of emissions | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feedstock | not published | – | petrochemical intermediates; maize glucose for fermented vitamins | indicative | |
| Production / process | not published | – | many reaction and purification steps, solvents, steam; coal-based energy in China | indicative | |
| Movement | small | – | container shipping | indicative | |
| Use | not applicable | – | consumed by animals and people | not applicable | |
| End of life | not applicable | – | metabolised | not applicable |
Other environmental impacts
Solvent and chromium wastes (vitamin K3), process safety incidents, wastewater from fermentation.
Levers to cut emissions
- Fermentation routes to replace synthesis (e.g. fermented vitamin B2 replaced chemical routes; indicative)
- Renewable energy at Chinese chemical parks
- Solvent recovery and green chemistry in A and E syntheses
India
India's vitamin footprint sits mostly in imports; its B12 and folic acid plants are part of its pharma base (indicative).
Emission figures are indicative global averages from the life-cycle studies named; actual footprints vary widely by site, energy mix and method.Low-carbon routes
| Route | Intensity | Cost premium | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precision fermentation of vitamins A and E precursors | not published | not published | research and pilot (indicative) | indicative |