12 Jul 2023 --- Two of the world’s most common painkillers can be made from a compound found in pine trees, a waste product from the paper industry. Scientists from the University of Bath’s Department of Chemistry and Institute for Sustainability, UK, have discovered how to create paracetamol and ibuprofen precursors from biorenewable β-pinene, a component of turpentine. The component is a waste by-product from the paper industry, with an annual production of over 350,000 metric tons. Everyday painkillers are produced at approximately 100,000 metric ton scales annually. Many common pharmaceuticals are manufactured using chemical precursors derived from crude oil.
