Background

The world faces major challenges, such as reducing the dependence on fossil fuels and mitigating the greenhouse effect. Biomass, i.e. plants and plant-derived matter based on photosynthesis, could serve as part of the solution to this problem. The use of biomass for supply of energy could be significantly expanded, and biomass can efficiently be converted to valuable materials, chemicals, and biofuels via the use of so called biorefineries, using both state-of-the-art and new conversion technologies.

The general idea of a biorefinery with biomass as raw material is the same as in a petroleum refinery with crude oil as raw material; take out as much as possible of valuable products from the raw material and optimise the product composition to meet the market demand.

The difference between forest and agriculture based biorefineries is mainly found in the different raw materials used. Using agricultural raw material for a biorefinery can cause a questionable competition of raw material for usage in food applications on one hand and in chemical and energy applications on the other hand. In a wood based biorefinery or a pulp mill biorefinery this potential ethical conflict between purposes is avoided. This, together with the fact that the forest assets in this part of the world (Scandinavia) are very large, has led to that forestry based biorefineries are considered to be most profitable here.

The forest industry is one of Sweden’s most important business sectors. However, the pulp and paper industry is primarily a commodity industry. With competition from low-cost countries using cheap, fast growing raw materials, staying within the commodity sector and remaining profitable will be difficult. This has increased the opportunities and urgency for pulp mills in temperate climates to increase revenue. Instead of focusing on being a low cost producer in a commodity sector, companies need to examine the potential for making new products and more efficient use of all side streams.

By integrating biorefineries at the pulp mills, which produces new high value added products, the pulp mills will become more competitive. Since the pulp mill of today already has much of the infrastructure and knowledge needed in a biorefinery, it is of large interest to find economically feasible processes for decomposition and refining of pure biomass or internal by-products (e.g. black liquor) for this industry.