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Diffusion of forest biorefineries in Scandinavia and North America

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  • Näyhä, Annukka
  • Pesonen, Hanna-Leena

Abstract

Biomass-based energy has become a major focus of attention from a variety of directions due to the global challenges of meeting our energy needs. Bioenergy and bio-products are also currently being explored intensively in the forest cluster, as many elements that have in the past guaranteed success have largely disappeared. As the bioenergy and biorefining economies are evolving, there is a need for realistic estimates regarding the factors which affect the diffusion of forest biorefineries. This paper outlines global and national drivers for forest biorefineries in Scandinavia and North America. It explores the financial, political, technological, and ecological and raw-material related factors, as well as business competencies, challenges and changes in the business environment. This study is based on data from an expert opinion survey and comments from the experts about the survey results yielded by a Delphi method. According to our results, key factors for the development of forest biorefineries are very similar in both studied areas. There needs to be support from the macro-scale environment particularly from governments, but also the involved industries themselves need to be active. Diffusion factors in the macro-scale business environment are better understood when compared to more industry-specific strategic factors. Both studied areas seem to have potential for success in the biorefinery business. However, a more realistic identification of national strengths as well as continuous development of competencies – while avoiding an overly optimistic attitude – is crucial.

Suggested Citation

  • Näyhä, Annukka & Pesonen, Hanna-Leena, 2012. "Diffusion of forest biorefineries in Scandinavia and North America," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 79(6), pages 1111-1120.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:79:y:2012:i:6:p:1111-1120
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2012.01.006
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Heiskanen, Aleksi & Hurmekoski, Elias & Toppinen, Anne & Näyhä, Annukka, 2022. "Exploring the unknowns – State of the art in qualitative forest-based sector foresight research," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    2. Brunnhofer, Magdalena & Gabriella, Natasha & Schöggl, Josef-Peter & Stern, Tobias & Posch, Alfred, 2020. "The biorefinery transition in the European pulp and paper industry – A three-phase Delphi study including a SWOT-AHP analysis," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    3. Packalen, Tuula & Kärkkäinen, Leena & Toppinen, Anne, 2017. "The future operating environment of the Finnish sawmill industry in an era of climate change mitigation policies," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 30-40.
    4. Zetterholm, Jonas & Mossberg, Johanna & Jafri, Yawer & Wetterlund, Elisabeth, 2022. "We need stable, long-term policy support! — Evaluating the economic rationale behind the prevalent investor lament for forest-based biofuel production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 318(C).
    5. Näyhä, Annukka & Pesonen, Hanna-Leena, 2014. "Strategic change in the forest industry towards the biorefining business," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 259-271.
    6. Stern, Tobias & Ledl, Caroline & Braun, Martin & Hesser, Franziska & Schwarzbauer, Peter, 2015. "Biorefineries' impacts on the Austrian forest sector: A system dynamics approach," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 311-326.
    7. Bauer, Fredric & Coenen, Lars & Hansen, Teis & McCormick, Kes & Palgan, Yuliya Voytenko, 2016. "Technological innovation systems for biorefineries – A review of the literature," Papers in Innovation Studies 2016/27, Lund University, CIRCLE - Centre for Innovation Research.

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