IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/rensus/v148y2021ics1364032121005451.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Lignocellulosic biorefineries: The current state of challenges and strategies for efficient commercialization

Author

Listed:
  • Usmani, Zeba
  • Sharma, Minaxi
  • Awasthi, Abhishek Kumar
  • Lukk, Tiit
  • Tuohy, Maria G.
  • Gong, Liang
  • Nguyen-Tri, Phuong
  • Goddard, Alan D.
  • Bill, Roslyn M.
  • Nayak, S.Chandra
  • Gupta, Vijai Kumar

Abstract

Lignocellulosic biomass is the most abundant and sustainable feedstock available globally. As a source of the polysaccharides, cellulose and hemicellulose, it can be converted into biofuels and other platform chemicals. This article highlights some important aspects that needs to be focused upon for the commercial development of lignocellulosic biorefineries. Although, lignocellulosic biomass offers clear value in terms of its green advantages and sustainability, there has been very low commercial success at industrial production levels. This can be attributed to a few key factors such as an irregular biomass supply chain, inefficient or complex pre-treatment and saccharification technologies, and scale up challenges leading to high capital and operating expenditures. Moreover, techno-economic studies performed on lignocellulosic biorefineries have revealed that process complexity is the most detrimental factor prohibiting scale-up. Although there have been several research efforts funded both by the public and private sectors, biomass valorization into biofuels and chemicals remains a technical and economical challenge. This review examines the global drivers towards the advancements of lignocellulosic biorefineries, technical and operational challenges for industrialization and future directions towards overcoming them.

Suggested Citation

  • Usmani, Zeba & Sharma, Minaxi & Awasthi, Abhishek Kumar & Lukk, Tiit & Tuohy, Maria G. & Gong, Liang & Nguyen-Tri, Phuong & Goddard, Alan D. & Bill, Roslyn M. & Nayak, S.Chandra & Gupta, Vijai Kumar, 2021. "Lignocellulosic biorefineries: The current state of challenges and strategies for efficient commercialization," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:148:y:2021:i:c:s1364032121005451
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.111258
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032121005451
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111258?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cherubini, Francesco & Ulgiati, Sergio, 2010. "Crop residues as raw materials for biorefinery systems - A LCA case study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(1), pages 47-57, January.
    2. Li, Yi-Jing & Li, Han-Yin & Sun, Shao-Ni & Sun, Run-Cang, 2019. "Evaluating the efficiency of γ-valerolactone/water/acid system on Eucalyptus pretreatment by confocal Raman microscopy and enzymatic hydrolysis for bioethanol production," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 228-234.
    3. Kumar, Dipesh & Singh, Bhaskar & Korstad, John, 2017. "Utilization of lignocellulosic biomass by oleaginous yeast and bacteria for production of biodiesel and renewable diesel," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 654-671.
    4. Albashabsheh, Nibal T. & Heier Stamm, Jessica L., 2019. "Optimization of lignocellulosic biomass-to-biofuel supply chains with mobile pelleting," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 545-562.
    5. Mohapatra, Sonali & Mishra, Chinmaya & Behera, Sudhansu S. & Thatoi, Hrudayanath, 2017. "Application of pretreatment, fermentation and molecular techniques for enhancing bioethanol production from grass biomass – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 1007-1032.
    6. Leila Lo Leggio & Thomas J. Simmons & Jens-Christian N. Poulsen & Kristian E. H. Frandsen & Glyn R. Hemsworth & Mary A. Stringer & Pernille von Freiesleben & Morten Tovborg & Katja S. Johansen & Leona, 2015. "Structure and boosting activity of a starch-degrading lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-9, May.
    7. Usmani, Zeba & Sharma, Minaxi & Karpichev, Yevgen & Pandey, Ashok & Chander Kuhad, Ramesh & Bhat, Rajeev & Punia, Rajesh & Aghbashlo, Mortaza & Tabatabaei, Meisam & Gupta, Vijai Kumar, 2020. "Advancement in valorization technologies to improve utilization of bio-based waste in bioeconomy context," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    8. Nunes, L.J.R. & Causer, T.P. & Ciolkosz, D., 2020. "Biomass for energy: A review on supply chain management models," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    9. Brémond, Ulysse & de Buyer, Raphaëlle & Steyer, Jean-Philippe & Bernet, Nicolas & Carrere, Hélène, 2018. "Biological pretreatments of biomass for improving biogas production: an overview from lab scale to full-scale," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 583-604.
    10. Bhutto, Abdul Waheed & Qureshi, Khadija & Harijan, Khanji & Abro, Rashid & Abbas, Tauqeer & Bazmi, Aqeel Ahmed & Karim, Sadia & Yu, Guangren, 2017. "Insight into progress in pre-treatment of lignocellulosic biomass," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 724-745.
    11. Jambo, Siti Azmah & Abdulla, Rahmath & Mohd Azhar, Siti Hajar & Marbawi, Hartinie & Gansau, Jualang Azlan & Ravindra, Pogaku, 2016. "A review on third generation bioethanol feedstock," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 756-769.
    12. Li, Chenlin & Aston, John E. & Lacey, Jeffrey A. & Thompson, Vicki S. & Thompson, David N., 2016. "Impact of feedstock quality and variation on biochemical and thermochemical conversion," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 525-536.
    13. Mohr, Alison & Raman, Sujatha, 2013. "Lessons from first generation biofuels and implications for the sustainability appraisal of second generation biofuels," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 114-122.
    14. Chen, Hongzhang & Fu, Xiaoguo, 2016. "Industrial technologies for bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 468-478.
    15. Al-Hamamre, Zayed & Saidan, Motasem & Hararah, Muhanned & Rawajfeh, Khaled & Alkhasawneh, Hussam E. & Al-Shannag, Mohammad, 2017. "Wastes and biomass materials as sustainable-renewable energy resources for Jordan," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 295-314.
    16. Mirkouei, Amin & Haapala, Karl R. & Sessions, John & Murthy, Ganti S., 2017. "A review and future directions in techno-economic modeling and optimization of upstream forest biomass to bio-oil supply chains," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 15-35.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Nahak, B.K. & Preetam, S. & Sharma, Deepa & Shukla, S.K. & Syväjärvi, Mikael & Toncu, Dana-Cristina & Tiwari, Ashutosh, 2022. "Advancements in net-zero pertinency of lignocellulosic biomass for climate neutral energy production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    2. Pant, Manish & Pant, Tanuja, 2023. "Maximising biotransformation of pine needles to microbial lipids using Lipomyces starkeyi MTCC 1400T," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 574-581.
    3. Thiago Averaldo Bimestre & Fellipe Sartori Silva & Celso Eduardo Tuna & José Carlos dos Santos & João Andrade de Carvalho & Eliana Vieira Canettieri, 2023. "Physicochemical Characterization and Thermal Behavior of Different Wood Species from the Amazon Biome," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-10, February.
    4. Lu, Aiping & Yu, Xiaojie & Chen, Li & Okonkwo, Clinton Emeka & Otu, Phyllis & Zhou, Cunshan & Lu, Qiaomin & Sun, Qiaolan, 2023. "Development of novel ternary deep eutectic pretreatment solvents from lignin-derived phenol, and its efficiency in delignification and enzymatic hydrolysis of peanut shells," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 617-626.
    5. Louw, Jeanne & Dogbe, Eunice S. & Yang, Bin & Görgens, Johann F., 2023. "Prioritisation of biomass-derived products for biorefineries based on economic feasibility: A review on the comparability of techno-economic assessment results," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    6. Kim, Kyeongsu & Suh, Young-Woong & Ha, Jeong-Myeong & An, Jinjoo & Lee, Ung, 2023. "A comprehensive analysis of biphasic reaction system for economical biodiesel production process," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Raud, M. & Kikas, T. & Sippula, O. & Shurpali, N.J., 2019. "Potentials and challenges in lignocellulosic biofuel production technology," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 44-56.
    2. Kargbo, Hannah & Harris, Jonathan Stuart & Phan, Anh N., 2021. "“Drop-in” fuel production from biomass: Critical review on techno-economic feasibility and sustainability," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    3. Mosayeb Dashtpeyma & Reza Ghodsi, 2021. "Forest Biomass and Bioenergy Supply Chain Resilience: A Systematic Literature Review on the Barriers and Enablers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-21, June.
    4. Greggio, Nicolas & Balugani, Enrico & Carlini, Carlotta & Contin, Andrea & Labartino, Nicola & Porcelli, Roberto & Quaranta, Marta & Righi, Serena & Vogli, Luciano & Marazza, Diego, 2019. "Theoretical and unused potential for residual biomasses in the Emilia Romagna Region (Italy) through a revised and portable framework for their categorization," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 590-606.
    5. Nogueira, Cleitiane da Costa & Padilha, Carlos Eduardo de Araújo & Dantas, Júlia Maria de Medeiros & Medeiros, Fábio Gonçalves Macêdo de & Guilherme, Alexandre de Araújo & Souza, Domingos Fabiano de S, 2021. "In-situ detoxification strategies to boost bioalcohol production from lignocellulosic biomass," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 914-936.
    6. Melendez, Jesus R. & Mátyás, Bence & Hena, Sufia & Lowy, Daniel A. & El Salous, Ahmed, 2022. "Perspectives in the production of bioethanol: A review of sustainable methods, technologies, and bioprocesses," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    7. Kumar, Mayank & Olajire Oyedun, Adetoyese & Kumar, Amit, 2018. "A review on the current status of various hydrothermal technologies on biomass feedstock," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P2), pages 1742-1770.
    8. Martinez-Valencia, Lina & Garcia-Perez, Manuel & Wolcott, Michael P., 2021. "Supply chain configuration of sustainable aviation fuel: Review, challenges, and pathways for including environmental and social benefits," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    9. Zhai, Jihua & Burke, Ian T. & Stewart, Douglas I., 2021. "Beneficial management of biomass combustion ashes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    10. Gabriella Garbarino & Giovanni Pampararo & Thanh Khoa Phung & Paola Riani & Guido Busca, 2020. "Heterogeneous Catalysis in (Bio)Ethanol Conversion to Chemicals and Fuels: Thermodynamics, Catalysis, Reaction Paths, Mechanisms and Product Selectivities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-19, July.
    11. Danilo Arcentales-Bastidas & Carla Silva & Angel D. Ramirez, 2022. "The Environmental Profile of Ethanol Derived from Sugarcane in Ecuador: A Life Cycle Assessment Including the Effect of Cogeneration of Electricity in a Sugar Industrial Complex," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-24, July.
    12. Basile, Flavia & Pilotti, Lorenzo & Ugolini, Marco & Lozza, Giovanni & Manzolini, Giampaolo, 2022. "Supply chain optimization and GHG emissions in biofuel production from forestry residues in Sweden," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 196(C), pages 405-421.
    13. Salehi-Amiri, Amirhossein & Zahedi, Ali & Akbapour, Navid & Hajiaghaei-Keshteli, Mostafa, 2021. "Designing a sustainable closed-loop supply chain network for walnut industry," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    14. Taghizadeh-Alisaraei, Ahmad & Motevali, Ali & Ghobadian, Barat, 2019. "Ethanol production from date wastes: Adapted technologies, challenges, and global potential," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 1094-1110.
    15. Sánchez, S. & Lozano, L.J. & Godínez, C. & Juan, D. & Pérez, A. & Hernández, F.J., 2010. "Carob pod as a feedstock for the production of bioethanol in Mediterranean areas," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(11), pages 3417-3424, November.
    16. Khoo, Hsien H., 2015. "Review of bio-conversion pathways of lignocellulose-to-ethanol: Sustainability assessment based on land footprint projections," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 100-119.
    17. Huang, Yu-Fong & Chiueh, Pei-Te & Kuan, Wen-Hui & Lo, Shang-Lien, 2016. "Microwave pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass: Heating performance and reaction kinetics," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 137-144.
    18. Xing, Hui & Spence, Stephen & Chen, Hua, 2020. "A comprehensive review on countermeasures for CO2 emissions from ships," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    19. Ko, Ja Kyong & Lee, Jae Hoon & Jung, Je Hyeong & Lee, Sun-Mi, 2020. "Recent advances and future directions in plant and yeast engineering to improve lignocellulosic biofuel production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    20. Zhang, XiaoHong & Pan, HengYu & Cao, Jun & Li, JinRong, 2015. "Energy consumption of China’s crop production system and the related emissions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 111-125.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:148:y:2021:i:c:s1364032121005451. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/600126/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.