Progress in lignocellulosic biomass valorization for biofuels and value-added chemical production in the EU: A focus on thermochemical conversion processes

Abstract

The demand for sustainable energy sources has increased owing to environmental concerns, such as climate change, rising energy demand and rapid industrialization. Biomass utilization for bioenergy and value-added chemical production has become essential for creating a circular low-carbon bioeconomy and sustainable waste management techniques. This review focuses on thermochemical processes and analyzes the trends of biomass utilization for energy production in the EU over the last decade. It discusses the current state-of-the-art of gasification, pyrolysis, advanced combustion and liquefaction technologies, and presents the individual challenges and prospects of each process. A comprehensive overview of previous studies related to each conversion technology is provided to pave the way for future thermochemical, biochemical and integrated biomass valorization studies. Additionally, the review discusses biomass thermochemical conversion processes, which are combined with carbon capture, such as gasification, liquefaction and pyrolysis. These processes offer the potential to achieve negative net atmospheric carbon emissions, which can contribute to global warming mitigation efforts.