Biorefineries in the world

Abstract

This chapter intends to give a brief overview of current conventional and advanced biomass-based biorefineries in the World. While the conventional biorefineries use mature and commercial technology, the advanced biorefineries (e.g., lignocellulosic-based biofuel biorefineries, microalgae-based biorefineries) have different degrees of technology-readiness level and regardless the process technology, only a few of them have reached the commercial scale although the profitability remains a quest. The most representative’s examples of biorefineries in the World are reviewed in this chapter with special emphasis on thermochemicaland biochemical-based biomass processing technologies for advanced biofuel biorefineries at pilot, demo or commercial stage. Few examples of product (non-energetic)-driven biorefineries are also discussed, such as pulp and paper biorefineries and lactic acid-producing biorefineries, mainly because only a limited number are in operation because their key technologies are still in the R&D, pilot or demo stage.