Biomass-Derived Materials: Biofuel Production

There is a need to achieve the 2030 agenda for people, planet, and prosperity, as set out by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sustainability is possible through the use of biomass-derived materials such as plant materials (cassava, Jatropha), agricultural wastes (wood), microalgae, and waste food materials (eggshell, orange peels) for biofuel production. These materials are less found in landfills, less expensive than fossil fuels and they are mostly carbon neutral. This reduces the presence of carbon dioxide—a major driver of global warming. More so, biomass is cost-effective as it is renewable and generally available, not requiring mining nor refining. This chapter highlights the role of several materials for first-, second-, and third-generation biofuel production.