Feedstocks for the Future – Biorefinery Production of Chemicals from Renewable Carbon

Graphical Abstract

Review: Over the last few years, biomass as a source of renewable carbon has experienced a huge upsurge in research and commercial interest. Several aspects of biorefinery operation are briefly reviewed, and it is illustrated how integration of chemical and fuel production is an effective means to ensure the biorefinery's economic viability.

Abstract

Converting renewable carbon to chemicals and fuels is experiencing a huge increase in both research and commercial interest. The biorefinery is now a recognized approach for transforming renewable raw materials into separate biobased process streams, and ultimately, marketplace chemicals and fuels. Successful biorefinery operation will fulfill two strategic goals: displacing nonrenewable raw materials (an energy goal, met by production of biofuels) and providing economic incentive to support a robust biorefining industry (an economic goal, met by the production of high value chemicals). These goals are met simultaneously by integrating chemical and fuel production within a single operation. However, a primary barrier to biorefinery development is the relative lack of technology available for the conversion of renewable carbon sources into useful marketplace chemicals and materials. Developing broad based technologies capable of producing families of high value chemicals will provide a significant opportunity for the biorefinery. This introductory paper briefly overviews the biorefinery concept and describes several features of biorefinery operation and technology needs for the production of chemicals from renewable raw materials.