EUBCE 2026 - Philippa ROOTS - Spatial Analysis of Biorefinery Feedstock Targets: A Supply Chain Approach

Spatial Analysis of Biorefinery Feedstock Targets: A Supply Chain Approach

Short Introductive summary

The expected bioeconomy will require vast amounts of previously unused biomass in order to replace current material use at similar levels of demand. Although the theoretical availability of biomass in Europe is above estimated required levels, even with realistic conversion rates, accessing sufficient amounts necessitates navigating environmental trade-offs and logistical challenges. The fastest and most feasible options will use existing capital and utilize homogenous feedstocks to limit the cost and technological diversity of the new system. Unlike fossil feedstocks, suitable biomass is rarely concentrated in one place and therefore the level of accessibility will depend in part on the value of the final product, and how this value is distributed along the supply chain. We created a spatial model of a theoretical bioeconomy supply chain to show how infrastructure choices affect value and output in different regions of Europe. Using spatially explicit agricultural data and the 2021 arrangement of industrial crackers, we show how agricultural lignocellulosic residues (ALRs) could be transported and processed into bio-ethanol through fast pyrolysis over several scenarios. ALR coll

P. Roots, MNEXT, Breda, THE NETHERLANDS
N. Marquez Luzardo, MNEXT, Breda, THE NETHERLANDS
M.P. Zieverink, MNEXT, Breda, THE NETHERLANDS