Biorefineries in circular bioeconomy: A comprehensive review

• Main Authors: Ubando, Aristotle T., Felix, Charles B., Chen, Wei Hsin
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2020
• Subjects: Renewable natural resources; Life cycle costing; Biomass; Energy Systems; Mechanical Engineering
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/2256; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/faculty_research/article/3255/type/native/viewcontent
• Institution: De La Salle University

Biorefinery is a sustainable means of generating multiple bioenergy products from various biomass feedstocks through the incorporation of relevant conversion technologies. With the increased attention of circular economy in the past half-decade with the emphasis of holistically addressing economic, environmental, and social aspects of the industrial-sector, biorefinery acts as a strategic mechanism for the realization of a circular bioeconomy. This study presents a comprehensive review of different biorefinery models used for various biomass feedstocks such as lignocelluloses, algae, and numerous waste-types. The review focuses on how biorefinery is instrumental in the transition of various biomass-based industries in a circular bioeconomy. The results reveal that the social-economic aspect of the industrial sector has a major influence on the full adoption of biorefineries in circular bioeconomy. Biomass wastes have played a major role in the implementation of biorefinery in circular bioeconomy. The current challenges are also presented along with future perspectives. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd