Strategies to Develop an Efficient Biorefinery System Using Techno-Economic Evaluation and Life Cycle Assessment

There has been a gradual and challenging paradigm shift towards a biomass-based economy from fossil- and chemical-based economy. In accordance with the United Nations’ (UN) criteria of sustainability, it is quintessential that while meeting our current needs, the capacity of future generations to address their own is not endangered. Biorefinery has thus evolved as a potent catalyst for new fossil fuel-free bioeconomy. Biorefinery refers to a sustainable platform that brings about the conversion of biomass waste into a variety of bioproducts such as bioenergy, biopolymers, biochemicals, etc. In parallel with the development of the concept of green chemistry, the idea of biorefinery also arose during the late 1990s. Biorefinery aims at elevating the economic potential of bioproduct production through the incorporation of conversion technologies that ensures the reuse of byproducts. Biorefinery system is categorized on the basis of four important features, viz., platform, processes, feedstocks, and products. Employment of life cycle perspective and circular bioeconomy framework in biorefineries can result in sustainable production of bioproducts through waste biorefineries and negative carbon emission in biorefinery supply chain.