Elsevier

New Biotechnology

Volume 60, 25 January 2021, Pages 76-84
New Biotechnology

Full length Article
Bioeconomy: Biomass and biomass-based energy supply and demand

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbt.2020.10.004Get rights and content
Under a Creative Commons license
open access

Highlights

  • The European bioeconomy will address the growing demand for bio-based products.

  • The interrelations between biobased products depend on demand and land use.

  • A radical transformation towards the production of bio-chemicals is needed.

  • Biobased value chains make decision making on how best to use biomass difficult.

Abstract

This paper addresses the challenges of the transition from a fossil fuel-dependent to a bio-based economy and implications related to the production of food, feed, bioenergy and other bio-based materials. The objective is to provide a comprehensive review of global biomass and biomass-based energy supplies and demand, with particular attention to the EU. Furthermore, factors related to setting priorities in the use of non-food biomass are discussed, as food security will remain the top priority. Finally, the changes in the bioenergy balance indicators in the Member States of the EU and new plant breeding technologies are analyzed. Overall, this study describes the complexity of the bio-based value chains in making decisions on how best to use biomass. The article presents a comprehensive review on global biomass and biomass based energy supplies and demand, discusses the European chemical industry perspective, analyzes the changes in the biomass based energy balance indicators in the Member States of the EU, and considers the challenges of the new plant breeding technologies.

Abbreviations

CEFIC
European Chemical Industry Council
ETS
Emissions Trading System
GDP
gross domestic product
GHG
greenhouse gas
GM
genetically modified
IEA
International Energy Agency
REN21
Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century
WBA
World Bioenergy Association

Keywords

Bioeconomy
Biomass supply
Bioenergy
Biochemicals
Biotechnology

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