Valorization of Tops and Branches to Textile Fibers and Biofuel: Value Chain Explored Experimentally; Environmental Sustainability Evaluated by Life Cycle Assessment

Abstract

To make biorefining more environmentally sustainable, preferably residues from forestry should be used and more than one fraction should be upgraded. A third of raw materials from forestry─tops and branches (T&B)─are either left in the forests or collected and incinerated to a low value. Herein, we apply a fast fractionation to valorize two of the fractions of this forestry residue. The cellulose is converted to textile fibers and all the lignin to hydrocarbons. The environmental sustainability of the novel value chain was studied by life cycle assessment (LCA), and benefits were found in four out of five impact categories. These are important steps to increase fiber production without affecting environmental impact, making biorefining competitive.