What Are the Challenges in Developing Alternative Products?
Despite the benefits, developing alternative products through catalysis presents several challenges:
- Cost: The development and scaling up of catalytic processes can be expensive. Catalysts, especially metal-based ones, can be costly, and their recovery and reuse need efficient systems. - Efficiency: Catalytic processes must be optimized for high yield and selectivity to be economically viable. This requires significant research and development. - Compatibility: Alternative products must be compatible with existing infrastructure and technologies. For example, biofuels need to work efficiently in current engines without modifications. - Regulatory Hurdles: New products must meet stringent regulatory standards and undergo extensive testing to ensure safety and efficacy.