New research into the extent of fossil and bio-based markets provide interesting insights and evidence of market opportunities biorefining, conclude researchers from Wageningen UR. Due to the volume and the value of raw materials and to compare their products to each other, researchers give insights into the opportunities for bio-based markets. Companies and governments can make sharper economic and policy considerations. The study shows that it is usually the most lucrative to retrieve multiple end products from biomass.<\/p>\n
Wageningen UR researchers zoomed in on the biobased value pyramid ‘, a well known and powerful metaphor for the biobased value chain of raw materials and products with their volume and value are central. Product from this pyramid, such as chemicals and transportation fuels were compared with their fossil counterparts.<\/p>\n
The analysis follow some logical conclusions: the volume of fossil fuels and derived heating and transport applications (oil, gasoline) is much greater than other commodities, including agricultural commodities. It is notable that currently -under olieprijzen- exceptionally low prices for transportation fuels are the same as for basic foods (such as rice, pasta and sugar). At the time of the study (summer 2014), prices were even higher.<\/p>\n
The volume feed is apparent from the new analysis remarkably high at a low value. And the volume of raw materials in the chemical industry is again low, while applications in this sector have a high added value.<\/p>\n
Harri\u00ebtte Forest, program manager at Wageningen UR think this offer economic opportunities absurdities: “In a recent EU study, we investigated the full transition to agricultural raw materials for the chemical would. It shows, among other things that the optimization of feed-refining provides a considerable -now onbenutte- space for other applications, such as chemicals and materials. So we see very interesting opportunities for biorefinery “What is important is, Forest, stresses that a ‘level playing field’ created ‘. Because specific products, such as bioenergy, are subsidized, the opportunities for biorefineries can now not be redeemed.”<\/p>\n
Based on the values \u200b\u200bof the different products, researchers in the study to obtain an estimate of the total value when different biorefinery options (cascading) are worked out. In line with the assumptions appear in the biorefinery concept production which several end products are produced a potentially higher overall value to deliver. However, stresses Bos, this is not the case for all end products. An important condition is that the raw materials are used efficiently.<\/p>\n
Wheat and meat supply in the study evidence for efficient applications. Bos: “Put one wheat for bread, then all the flour into the final product. The conversion of wheat to meat is less efficient: for a kilo of meat has an animal known as several kilograms of wheat needed. Although meat is more expensive than bread, the value per used quantity of wheat lower here. “When the wheat contrast with biorefinery is first split into protein (gluten) and starch, the protein is then fed to cattle and the starch is converted into chemicals, is to achieve a significantly higher overall value. “It therefore involves both smart biorefinery as to smart product combinations”, advocated Forest.<\/p>\n
Harri\u00ebtte Forest is excited about the new findings from the study: “The analysis we have done gives us a better picture of the use of resources and their value in the entire production. That is very important for companies and governments on the basis of this kind of detailed information can now take a more informed business or policy decision. “Forest points out that although the study provides insight into the value of achieving different biorefinery routes, but not, for example environmental aspects “Environmental aspects we do have side views in two other recent studies on sustainability aspects of products from sugars and natural oils.” Bos is a connection between the two studies and research on the value pyramid a nice topic for a follow-up study.<\/p>\n