Advanced Biomass Utilization for Sustainable Chemical Synthesis

Dear Colleagues,

Biomass utilization in chemistry enables the transformation of renewable organic materials into sustainable fuels, chemicals, and materials, significantly reducing dependence on fossil-based resources. Key feedstocks include lignocellulosic biomass (e.g., agricultural residues, forestry waste), algal biomass, and organic waste from municipal and industrial sources.

The conversion processes are categorized into three main pathways:

• Thermochemical Conversion: Involves high-temperature processes like gasification, pyrolysis, and hydrothermal liquefaction to produce syngas, bio-oil, and biochar.
• Biochemical Conversion: Includes fermentation and anaerobic digestion to produce bioethanol, biogas, and other bioalcohols.
• Catalytic Processes: Focus on reactions like hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) and catalytic reforming to upgrade bio-oil into platform chemicals and clean fuels.

These technologies yield biofuels (ethanol, biodiesel), platform chemicals (5-HMF, levulinic acid, furfural), and bioplastics (PLA, PHA), all of which are carbon-neutral, biodegradable, and contribute to green chemistry. Current challenges include feedstock variability, high processing costs, and scaling difficulties. However, advances in catalyst design, process integration, and biorefinery optimization are paving the way for more efficient and economically viable biomass conversion technologies.

Prof. Dr. Maria A. Goula
Dr. Nikolaos Charisiou
Guest Editors

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