Wood Biorefineries

Abstract

In this chapter, we explore the concept, current status, and prospects of wood biorefineries, and discuss the most important available alternatives at present to degrade, transform, and isolate the main biomass constituents (cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, and extractives). Chemical, thermochemical, and biological conversion methods are included and analyzed separately. We examine the advantages and disadvantages of each process, giving special emphasis to technologies presently employed in industrial practices (e.g., the Kraft and Sulfite pulping) due to their well-defined operating conditions, requirements, and limitations. In addition, we discuss a series of products that may be of interest in the future to replace fossil raw materials, improve the forest product value chain, and increase profitability of traditional and innovative wood processing plants. This include both, products that have been commercially available for extended periods of time, as well as others that have not entered the market yet or that have been industrially produced for a few years. In each case, well-known and novel possibilities to produce, utilize, and transform them are discussed.