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Green Processing of Lignocellulosic Biomass for the Production of Renewable Fuels and Chemicals

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Chemical Engineering and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 7351

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Tirath Raj

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
Interests: green chemical application for biorefinery developments

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Lignocellulosic biomasses are the largest available “surplus” biomass consisting of natural carbon sources, and they represent an attractive option for the production of renewable fuels, chemicals, and materials under modern biorefinery industries through physio-chemical and biological pathways. Fermentable sugars could be derived from lignocellulosic biomasses to produce various liquid/gaseous biofuels and platform chemicals via microbial fermentation. However, conventional processing methods face many critical challenges such as toxic generation, high production costs, wastewater processing issues, and high chemical and energy demands. Thus, the employment of green chemistry would further promote the sustainability of biorefinery development and novel technologies for bioenergy/resource recovery from modern bioenergy sources and challenges encountered while moving from reality to practicability. This Special Issue intends to focus on new and emerging trends in green processing for the deconstruction of lignocellulosic modern bioenergy through green chemistry applications using green solvents, economic catalysts, and sustainable process developments to reduce environmental impacts and promote the circular bioeconomy.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Green solvent application for biomass pretreatment;
  • Bioenergy and resource recovery;
  • Application of ionic liquids, organosolv, and eutectic solvents for biofuel production;
  • Biomass reclamation and recycling;
  • Hydrothermal, thermochemical processing for biohydrogen, bioethanol and biobutanol, and biogas production;
  • Sustainable management and analysis;
  • Agricultural wastes and modern bioenergy crops.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Tirath Raj
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • bioenergy
  • green processing
  • biofuels production

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 2303 KiB  
Article
Odorous Emissions During the Use of the Intermediate Fraction as an Additive to the Green Waste Composting Process
by Mirosław Szyłak-Szydłowski and Wojciech Kos
Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 851; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17030851 - 22 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 907
Abstract
Composting is a key component of sustainable development strategies, as it supports ecological waste management, minimises the impact of human activities on the environment, and promotes the efficient use of natural resources. Reducing the generation of additional waste—as “recirculation” of composted waste—is also [...] Read more.
Composting is a key component of sustainable development strategies, as it supports ecological waste management, minimises the impact of human activities on the environment, and promotes the efficient use of natural resources. Reducing the generation of additional waste—as “recirculation” of composted waste—is also an important indicator of sustainability processes. The intermediate fraction (IF) is the material within the 10 mm to 60–90 mm range. It can be incorporated into composting materials to enhance the composting process. Maintaining an appropriate proportion of this fraction in the compost mixture is crucial for its practical use. This research examined the impact of adding the IF to composting on reducing the release of odorous substances. Additionally, it aimed to optimise the composting process by effectively managing the fraction. Optimisation sought to achieve high-quality compost, minimise odour emissions, and enhance the overall efficiency of the process. The study enabled the selection of the optimal variant—adding 9% of IF with inoculum—considering both ammonia emissions and odour impact. This variant yielded 13% less ammonia and 37% less odour than the variant without additives. This included identifying the intermediate fraction’s ideal proportion and adding pre-composted waste to compost piles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Processing of Lignocellulosic Biomass for the Production of Renewable Fuels and Chemicals)
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Review

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33 pages, 1311 KiB  
Review
Review of Lignocellulosic Biomass Pretreatment Using Physical, Thermal and Chemical Methods for Higher Yields in Bioethanol Production
by Adrian Woźniak, Ksawery Kuligowski, Lesław Świerczek and Adam Cenian
Sustainability 2025, 17(1), 287; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17010287 - 2 Jan 2025
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 6068
Abstract
The increasing demand for renewable energy sources has led to significant interest in second-generation biofuels derived from lignocellulosic biomass and waste materials. This review underscores the pivotal role of lignocellulosic biomass valorization in meeting global energy needs, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, and fostering [...] Read more.
The increasing demand for renewable energy sources has led to significant interest in second-generation biofuels derived from lignocellulosic biomass and waste materials. This review underscores the pivotal role of lignocellulosic biomass valorization in meeting global energy needs, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, and fostering a circular bioeconomy. Key pretreatment methods—including steam explosion, pressure treatment, and chemical pretreatment—are analyzed for their ability to enhance the accessibility of cellulose and hemicellulose in enzymatic saccharification. Advances in cellulolytic enzyme development and fermentation strategies, such as the use of genetically engineered microorganisms capable of fermenting both hexoses and pentoses, are discussed in detail. Furthermore, the potential of biorefinery systems is explored, highlighting their capacity to integrate biomass valorization into biofuel production alongside high-value bioproducts. Case studies and recent trends in bioethanol and biogas production are examined, providing insights into the current state of research and its industrial applications. While lignocellulosic biofuels hold considerable promise for sustainable development and emissions reduction, challenges related to cost optimization, process scalability, and technological barriers must be addressed to enable large-scale implementation. This review serves as a comprehensive foundation for bridging the gap between laboratory research and industrial application, emphasizing the need for continued innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration in biofuel technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Processing of Lignocellulosic Biomass for the Production of Renewable Fuels and Chemicals)
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