Realizing the finite nature of natural resources such as fossil fuels, the emphasis is now shifting to alternative raw materials with the potential to mitigate the environmental, economic, and social stresses of today’s world. Under this horizon, in this book, we explore the use of biomass and key issues, including technological nodes and disruptive technologies capable of unlocking the black box of biomass-based technology. This book provides an overview for those attentive to the promises of biomass as a source of a myriad of specialty products.

Lignocellulose is the only renewable carbon source that can help replace oil-based chemicals and materials, in the process fighting global warming. However, because of its chemical and structural complexity, lignocellulose transformation into advanced products requires a better understanding of its composition and of its architecture at different scales, as well as a combination of physical, biological, and chemical processes, in order to render this transformation efficient and economically competitive. Tremendous efforts continue to be made toward the production of ethanol as a biofuel from various lignocellulosic feedstocks. Furthermore, recent successes have been achieved in extracting fibers to prepare composite materials that can compete with plastic fabrics. Importantly, lignocellulose chemistry can bring to the market original and complex chemicals that can lead to new applications, in particular when exploiting aromatic molecules or oligosaccharides from lignocellulose to produce solvents, surfactants, plasticizers, functional additives for food/feed/cosmetics, drugs, monomers, and polymers. In addition to this broad range of molecular products, fibers and particles fractionated from the lignocellulosic biomass are increasingly used to elaborate bio-based composite materials.

Introduction to Chemicals from Biomass, Second Editionpresents an overview of the use of biorenewable resources in the21st century for the manufacture of chemical products, materialsand energy. The book demonstrates that biomass is essentially arich mixture of chemicals and materials and, as such, has atremendous potential as feedstock for making a wide range ofchemicals and materials with applications in industries frompharmaceuticals to furniture. Completely revised and updated to reflect recent developments,this new edition begins with an introduction to the biorefineryconcept, followed by chapters addressing the various types ofavailable biomass feedstocks, including waste, and the differentpre-treatment and processing technologies being developed to turnthese feedstocks into platform chemicals, polymers, materials andenergy. The book concludes with a discussion on the policies andstrategies being put in place for delivering the so-calledBioeconomy. Introduction to Chemicals from Biomass is a valuableresource for academics, industrial scientists and policy-makersworking in the areas of industrial biotechnology, biorenewables,chemical engineering, fine and bulk chemical production,agriculture technologies, plant science, and energy and powergeneration. We need to reduce our dependence on fossil resources andincreasingly derive all the chemicals we take for granted and usein our daily life from biomass – and we must make sure thatwe do this using green chemistry and sustainable technologies! For more information on the Wiley Series in Renewable Resources,visit ahref="http://www.wiley.com/go/rrs"www.wiley.com/go/rrs/a Topics covered include: • The biorefinery concept • Biomass feedstocks • Pre-treatment technologies • Platform molecules from renewable resources • Polymers from bio-based monomers • Biomaterials • Bio-based energy production Praise for the 1st edition: “Drawing on the expertise of the authors the bookinvolves a degree of plant biology and chemical engineering, whichillustrates the multidisciplinary nature of the topicbeautifully” - Chemistry World

Biobased products offer substantial economic and environmental benefits, but understanding how to commercialize this requires a comprehensive look at the process, including feedstocks, technologies, product slate, supply chain, policy, financing, and environmental impact. Covering biobased products in a broad context, this book examines the environmental and economic impacts, compares US and EU policies, explores the factors affecting financing, and considers biological conversion, catalytic conversion, and separations. By examining the process from several critical perspectives in the supply chain, this book provides chemical engineers with a better understanding of challenges, opportunities, risks, and benefits of commercialization.

This updated edition presents topical knowledge and technologies for the thermal, chemo- and enzymatic-catalytic conversion of biomass into chemicals, materials and fuels. International experts from academia and industry cover the complete value chain from raw materials into final products. A new focus discusses feedstock, processes and products in potential concepts of future biorefining.

Biomass is the physical basis of the bioeconomy, the renewable segment of the circular economy, and as a CO2-neutral part of the carbon cycle, biomass is an efficient carbon sink. Demand for biomass is increasing worldwide because of its advantages in replacing fossil-based materials and fuels, which presents the challenge of reconciling this increased demand with the sustainable management of ecosystems, including forests and crops. This reference book discusses the role of biomass in the bioeconomy and focuses on the European Union and the United States, the first two regions to develop a bioeconomy strategy with an obvious effect on the bioeconomy developments in the rest of the world. Significant developments in other areas of the world are addressed. Features: Provides strategies for optimal use of biomass in the bioeconomy Defines and details sources, production, and chemical composition of biomass Describes conversion, uses, and sustainability of biomass Biomass in the Bioeconomy: Focus on the EU and US will appeal to an interdisciplinary audience of readers working in the fields of chemical and environmental engineering.

After addressing the basic knowledge of bioenergy and its development in the United States, the European Union, and Brazil, this book places emphasis on the introduction of China’s bioresources, its development since 2001, and the difficulties it encountered. In the concluding chapter, Shi presents his ideas about a ‘Green Civilization.’ This book analyzes bioenergy from a natural science perspective, but is also accessible to the social scientist interested in sustainable development.

The 1st World Conference and Technology Exhibition on Biomass for Energy and Industry, held in Sevilla in June 2000, brought together for the first time the traditional European Conference on Biomass for Energy and Industry and the Biomass Conference of the Americas, thus creating the largest and most outstanding event in the worldwide biomass sector. The conference elaborated innovative global strategies, projects and efficient practice rules for energy and the environment at a key stage in the industry's development. New concepts and projects were highlighted to increase the social and political awareness for a change in worldwide resource consumption and to promote economically, socially and environmentally sustainable development for the next millennium. In 2 volumes, the Proceedings include some 470 papers essential to an understanding of current thinking, practice, research and global developments in the biomass sector - a vital reference source for researchers, manufacturers, and policy makers involved or interested in the use of biomass for energy and industry.