A circular bio-based economy is seen as an important element of a European low carbon economy, and is expected to increasingly contribute to GHG emission reductions, decreased dependence on fossil resources and drive economic growth over the next decades. This study presents scenarios on how demand and supply for bio-based chemicals and materials could grow to 2030, and provides roadmaps with actions required to increase the deployment of chemical and material driven biorefineries in the EU. The study also presents the key elements of the analysis which have supported the preparation of the scenarios and roadmaps. This includes a biorefinery classification system, a database of operational or announced biorefineries (developed in collaboration with the Joint Research Centre) for the EU and 10 non-EU countries, a detailed opportunities and barriers analysis and a market outlook to 2030 with a focus on eleven biorefinery pathways. The study was developed by E4tech (lead), BTG, Wageningen Research, FNR and ICONS with the support of over 100 stakeholders from the bio-based industry, the chemicals and materials industries, academia & research institutions, the investment community and policy makers through active participation in stakeholder workshops, meetings and interviews. The study will support policy-makers and industry in further developing strategies, policies and deployment plans for European biorefineries.

This book investigates the functioning and ecosystems of biorefineries and assesses the potential of the industrial bioeconomy. The authors present a case study of the biorefinery at Bazancourt Pomacle, near Reims, France, as an outstanding illustration of the creation, work processes, financing, provision of environmental services, competitive benefits and future prospects of a bioeconomy. Analysing the case of Bazancourt Pomacle, the authors show the wide range of products produced by integrated biorefineries such as food, bioenergy, molecules for cosmetics and nutrients for agricultural use. They also analyse Bazancourt Pomacle as an open innovation platform, which encompasses several layers of R&D, including three department chairs from leading engineering and business schools in France. Illustrating a number of global success stories that started in Bazancourt Pomacle, the authors also investigate the provision of pilot- and demonstration plants as inescapable steps in the scaling-up process from the lab to industrial scale. The book provides a systematic overview of the lessons learned, as well as data on an industrial bioeconomy. Investors, decision- makers, public-policy shapers, analysts and scholars will learn about the history, actors, economics, industrial symbiosis, role of cooperatives, R&D and future prospects of a world-class biorefinery and bio-based cluster in Europe.

This book explores recent advances in the microbial production of xylitol and its applications in food and medical sector. Xylitol is an important biomolecule from lignocellulose biorefinery which is produced from the xylose by chemical reactions or microbial fermentation methods. Currently, the demand of xylitol at commercial scale is being met through chemical methods. However, recent breakthroughs made in plant cell wall destruction, genetic engineering to develop the designer microorganisms, fermentation methods and media formulations and downstream processing have led the ways for sustainable production of xylitol at commercial scale in lignocellulose biorefineries. Microbial production of xylitol is preferred over the chemical processes as it is environmentally friendly, higher process efficiency with the desired product yield, and product recovery with minimum impurities. This book is a unique compilation of 11 book chapters written by experts in their respective fields. These chapters present critical insights and discuss the current progress and future progress in this area into fermentative xylitol production. Chapter 9 is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. For further details see license information in the chapter.

The Renewable Energy-Water-Environment Nexus: Fundamentals, Technology, and Policy explores the connections between renewable energy, water, and the environment, along with their integration in the context of awareness, technologies, challenges, opportunities, and solutions. The book introduces different renewable energy technologies, including the importance of their development, use for a sustainable future, and their interrelationships. In-depth chapters then examine specific sub-relationships, focusing on renewable energy and water, renewable energy and the environment, and water and the environment. Available methods and tools for analyzing the renewable energy-water-environment nexus, including life cycle assessment of renewable energy systems are also covered. The last section of the book highlights key technologies and opportunities in the nexus, considering areas such as innovative cooling systems for thermoelectric plants to reduce or eliminate the use of water for cooling, reduction of water use in biofuels production, sea waves for desalination, grid management, energy storage systems, and hydrogen technologies, examining the integration of renewable energy, water, and environment-related policies, and discussing the application of artificial intelligence and nanotechnology techniques. Introduces key technologies for efficient management and the integration of renewables, water resources, and the environment Provides methods and tools for analyzing the nexus, and for evaluating sustainability of renewable energy systems Considers the applications of artificial intelligence and nanotechnology, as well as policy

Waste Valorisation for Bioenergy and Bioproducts: Biofuel, Biogas, and Value-Added Products presents a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art of waste valorization from solid, liquid, and gaseous waste streams. The book thoroughly examines the conversion of waste-to-energy from the following waste streams: • Commercial, institutional, and residential food wastes, particularly those currently disposed of in landfills. • Biosolids, organic-rich aqueous streams, and sludges from municipal wastewater treatment processes. • Manure slurries from concentrated livestock operations. • Organic wastes from industrial operations, including ,but not limited to, food and beverage manufacturing, biodiesel production, and integrated biorefineries, as well as other industries such as pulp and paper, forest products, and pharmaceuticals. • Biogas derived from any of the above feedstock streams such as landfill gas. Each chapter critically examines the challenges and opportunities in the production of waste-to energy processes, along with addressing the acceptability and marketability of transforming wastes into value-added products. The final chapters analyze the techno-economic viability and the sustainability dimensions of valorizing biological wastes. Waste Valorisation for Bioenergy and Bioproducts: Biofuel, Biogas, and Other Value-Added Products from Different Waste Streams is a one-stop resource for graduate students, researchers, and practicing engineers involved in waste-to-energy and waste management, and will be of interest to environmental, chemical, and process engineers involved in bioenergy and renewable energy Presents the state-of-the-art of waste valorization strategies and emerging technologies that have the potential to revolutionize waste-to-energy Examines the challenges and opportunities in scaling up production and improving acceptability and marketability of waste-to-energy technologies and conversion to value-added products Evaluates a range of parameters, including the techno-economic viability and sustainability dimensions for the valorization of liquid, solid, and gaseous waste streams, providing a comparison of the medium to long term performance of relevant Waste-to-Energy technologies

Life-Cycle Assessment of Biorefineries, the sixth and last book in the series on biomass-biorefineries discusses the unprecedented growth and development in the emerging concept of a global bio-based economy in which biomass-based biorefineries have attained center stage for the production of fuels and chemicals. It is envisaged that by 2020 a majority of chemicals currently being produced through a chemical route will be produced via a bio-based route. Agro-industrial residues, municipal solid wastes, and forestry wastes have been considered as the most significant feedstocks for such bio-refineries. However, for the techno-economic success of such biorefineries, it is of prime and utmost importance to understand their lifecycle assessment for various aspects. Provides state-of-art information on the basics and fundamental principles of LCA for biorefineries Contains key features for the education and understanding of integrated biorefineries Presents models that are used to cope with land-use changes and their effects on biorefineries Includes relevant case studies that illustrate main points