Fractal-Inspired Biorefineries for Sustainable Polymer Production: A Conceptual Framework Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Industry 5.0
4 affiliations
- 1YK Consulting Co., Ltd., 17 Apkujung-ro 11-gil, Kangnam-gu, Seoul 06000, Republic of Korea
- 2Separation & Purification Research Center, Chemical & Process Technology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
- 3Department of Forest Products and Biotechnology, Kookmin University, 77 Jeongneung-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea
- 4Consumer Product Division Packaging Technology Center, Korea Conformity Laboratories, 199 Gasan Digital 1-ro, Geumcheon-gu, Seoul 08503, Republic of Korea
Abstract
The transition from petroleum-derived polymers to renewable materials requires biorefineries capable of managing the compositional variability and multiscale structure of lignocellulosic biomass. This conceptual narrative review examines fractal-inspired principles—including hierarchical organization, branching, modularity, and finite-range statistical self-similarity—as a design perspective for integrated biorefineries. Deterministic mathematical fractals are distinguished from statistical fractals and hierarchical engineered systems, and methods for characterizing scale-dependent surfaces, porous catalysts, and transport networks are reviewed. The coordinated valorization of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin is then considered within an integrated biomass-to-chemicals framework for producing platform chemicals, functional materials, and polymer precursors. Petroleum crude-to-chemicals processing, including the S-OIL Shaheen Project, is discussed as a limited industrial benchmark for integrated fractionation, residue upgrading, and product diversification rather than as direct evidence of fractal engineering. An integrated framework is proposed in which fractal-inspired design provides the physical and organizational architecture, artificial intelligence supports characterization, prediction, optimization, and control, and Industry 5.0 provides the objectives of sustainability, resilience, and human-centered manufacturing. The framework remains conceptual. Its potential benefits must be evaluated through transport modeling, mass and energy balances, process simulation, experimental comparison, techno-economic analysis, and life-cycle assessment.
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BibTeX
@article{ko2026fractalinspired,
title = {{Fractal-Inspired Biorefineries for Sustainable Polymer Production: A Conceptual Framework Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Industry 5.0}},
author = {Young Chan Ko and Soon Wan Kweon and Yong Ju Lee and Byoung Geun Moon and Hyoung Jin Kim},
journal = {Polymers},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/polym18202505},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/18/20/2505},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Fractal-Inspired Biorefineries for Sustainable Polymer Production: A Conceptual Framework Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Industry 5.0
AU - Young Chan Ko
AU - Soon Wan Kweon
AU - Yong Ju Lee
AU - Byoung Geun Moon
AU - Hyoung Jin Kim
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Polymers
DO - 10.3390/polym18202505
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/18/20/2505
AB - The transition from petroleum-derived polymers to renewable materials requires biorefineries capable of managing the compositional variability and multiscale structure of lignocellulosic biomass. This conceptual narrative review examines fractal-inspired principles—including hierarchical organization, branching, modularity, and finite-range statistical self-similarity—as a design perspective for integrated biorefineries. Deterministic mathematical fractals are distinguished from statistical fractals and hierarchical engineered systems, and methods for characterizing scale-dependent surfaces, porous catalysts, and transport networks are reviewed. The coordinated valorization of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin is then considered within an integrated biomass-to-chemicals framework for producing platform chemicals, functional materials, and polymer precursors. Petroleum crude-to-chemicals processing, including the S-OIL Shaheen Project, is discussed as a limited industrial benchmark for integrated fractionation, residue upgrading, and product diversification rather than as direct evidence of fractal engineering. An integrated framework is proposed in which fractal-inspired design provides the physical and organizational architecture, artificial intelligence supports characterization, prediction, optimization, and control, and Industry 5.0 provides the objectives of sustainability, resilience, and human-centered manufacturing. The framework remains conceptual. Its potential benefits must be evaluated through transport modeling, mass and energy balances, process simulation, experimental comparison, techno-economic analysis, and life-cycle assessment.
SN - 2073-4360
ER -