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RuralBioUp

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ITABIA

Source of Information

EU Project

EU Project

RuralBioUp

Biomass Residues from Agriculture and Forestry Sectors (Dedicated Crops)

Biomass Residues from Agriculture Sector

Biomass Residues from Zootechnical Sector

Biomass Residues from Zootechnical and Agro-Sector

Biomass Residues from Fishing Industry

Biomass Residues from Agriculture and Forestry Sectors (Dedicated Crops)

SNoBiomass CategoryBiomassTheoretical availability (t/year)Traditional usesPlant partsMain utilization as BBPsPossible future innovative utilizationAvailable amount of Biomass for BBPs (t/year)Notes
1Herbaceous cropsMiscanthus giganteus26712Energy cropLeaves--5342Cultivation and yield data is obtained from Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine of Ireland. Website Link to the data https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/publications/2011/annualreviewandoutlookforagriculturefisheriesandfood20102011/environment/energycrops/. Composition data is from Celignis database.
2Herbaceous cropsMiscanthus giganteus26713Energy cropLeaves--5342Cultivation and yield data is obtained from Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine of Ireland. Website Link to the data https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/publications/2011/annualreviewandoutlookforagriculturefisheriesandfood20102011/environment/energycrops/. Composition data is from Celignis database.
3Herbaceous cropsMiscanthus giganteus26714Energy cropLeaves--5342Cultivation and yield data is obtained from Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine of Ireland. Website Link to the data https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/publications/2011/annualreviewandoutlookforagriculturefisheriesandfood20102011/environment/energycrops/. Composition data is from Celignis database.
4Herbaceous cropsMiscanthus giganteus26715Energy cropStems--5342Cultivation and yield data is obtained from Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine of Ireland. Website Link to the data https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/publications/2011/annualreviewandoutlookforagriculturefisheriesandfood20102011/environment/energycrops/. Composition data is from Celignis database.
5Herbaceous cropsMiscanthus giganteus26716Energy cropStems--5342Cultivation and yield data is obtained from Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine of Ireland. Website Link to the data https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/publications/2011/annualreviewandoutlookforagriculturefisheriesandfood20102011/environment/energycrops/. Composition data is from Celignis database.
6Herbaceous cropsMiscanthus giganteus26717Energy cropStems--5342Cultivation and yield data is obtained from Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine of Ireland. Website Link to the data https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/publications/2011/annualreviewandoutlookforagriculturefisheriesandfood20102011/environment/energycrops/. Composition data is from Celignis database.
7Herbaceous cropsSpring barley546000Animal feed and maltNA-Cosmetics, Biopackaging,109200Data for land and yields are average values from 2014 to 2016. The data obtained from Teagasc Agriculture and Food Development Authority. https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/cereal-crops/
8Herbaceous cropsSpring barley546001Animal feed and maltNA-Cosmetics, Nutraceutical, Biopackaging109200Data for land and yields are average values from 2014 to 2016. The data obtained from Teagasc Agriculture and Food Development Authority. https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/cereal-crops/
9Herbaceous cropsSpring barley546002Animal feed and maltNA-Biomaterials109200Data for land and yields are average values from 2014 to 2016. The data obtained from Teagasc Agriculture and Food Development Authority. https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/cereal-crops/
10Herbaceous cropsSpring barley546003Animal feed and maltNA-Nutraceutical, Cosmetics, biofuels, Biomaterials109200Data for land and yields are average values from 2014 to 2016. The data obtained from Teagasc Agriculture and Food Development Authority. https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/cereal-crops/
11Herbaceous cropsSpring wheat37460Animal feed and foodNA-Cosmetics, Biopackaging,6806-
12Herbaceous cropsSpring wheat37461Animal feed and foodNA-Cosmetics, Nutraceutical, Biopackaging6806-
13Herbaceous cropsSpring wheat37462Animal feed and foodNA-Biomaterials, Advanced Biofuels6806-
14Herbaceous cropsSpring oats46620Animal feed and foodNA-Biomaterials, Advanced Biofuels9324-
15Herbaceous cropsSpring oats46621Animal feed and foodNA-Biomaterials, Textile9324-
16Herbaceous cropsSpring oats46622Animal feed and foodNA-Cosmetics, Nutraceuticals, Biopackaging9324-
17Herbaceous cropsSpring oats46623Animal feed and foodNA-Cosmetics, Nutraceuticals, Biopackaging, Advanced Biofuels9324-
18Herbaceous cropsWinter wheat195840Feed and foodNA-Biomaterials, Advanced Biofuels39168-
19Herbaceous cropsWinter wheat195841Feed and foodNA-Cosmetics, Nutraceuticals, Biopackaging, Advanced Biofuels39168-
20Herbaceous cropsWinter wheat195842Feed and foodNA-Cosmetics, Nutraceutical, Biopackaging39168-
21Herbaceous cropsWinter Barley310620Feed and maltNA-Biomaterials, Advanced Biofuels34298-
22Herbaceous cropsWinter Barley310621Feed and maltNA-Cosmetics, Nutraceuticals, Biopackaging34298-
23Herbaceous cropsWinter Barley310622Feed and maltNA-Biomaterials, Textile34298-
24Herbaceous cropsWinter oats60030Feed and foodNA-Biomaterials, Advanced Biofuels12006-
25Herbaceous cropsWinter oats60030Feed and foodNA-Biomaterials, Textile12006-
26Herbaceous cropsWinter oats60030Feed and foodNA-Cosmetics, Nutraceuticals, Biopackaging, Advanced Biofuels12006-
27Herbaceous cropsWinter oats60030Feed and foodNA-Cosmetics, Nutraceutical, Biopackaging12006-
28Oil cropsSpring oil seed rape26010Animal feed and oilNA-Cosmetics, Nutraceuticals, Biopackaging, Advanced Biofuels3360Data is obtained from Teagasc Agriculture and Food Development Authority. www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/break-crops/oilseed-rape/
29Oil cropsSpring oil seed rape26010Animal feed and oilNA-Cosmetics, Nutraceuticals, Biopackaging3360Data is obtained from Teagasc Agriculture and Food Development Authority. www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/break-crops/oilseed-rape/
30Oil cropsSpring oil seed rape26010Animal feed and oilNA-Biomaterials, Textile, Advanced Biofuels3360Data is obtained from Teagasc Agriculture and Food Development Authority. www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/break-crops/oilseed-rape/
31Oil cropsSpring oil seed rape26010Animal feed and oilNA-Biomaterials, Textile, Advanced Biofuels3360Data is obtained from Teagasc Agriculture and Food Development Authority. www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/break-crops/oilseed-rape/
32Oil cropsSpring oil seed rape26010Animal feed and oilNA-Biomaterials, Textile, Advanced Biofuels3360Data is obtained from Teagasc Agriculture and Food Development Authority. www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/break-crops/oilseed-rape/
33Oil cropsSpring oil seed rape26010Animal feed and oilNA-Biomaterials, Textile, Advanced Biofuels3360Data is obtained from Teagasc Agriculture and Food Development Authority. www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/break-crops/oilseed-rape/
34Aquatic biomassSea weed (Ascophyllum nodusum)40000Cosmetics , nutrion foods and pharmaceuticalsNA-Cosmetics, Nutraceutical, Biomaterials, Textile,40000www.fora.ie/seaweed-sector-ireland-3332864-Apr2017/
35Aquatic biomassSea weed (Ascophyllum nodusum)40000Cosmetics , nutrion foods and pharmaceuticalsNA-Cosmetics, Nutraceutical, Biomaterials, Textile,40000www.fora.ie/seaweed-sector-ireland-3332864-Apr2017/
36Aquatic biomassSea weed (Ascophyllum nodusum)40000Cosmetics , nutrion foods and pharmaceuticalsNA-Cosmetics, Nutraceutical, Biomaterials, Textile,40000www.fora.ie/seaweed-sector-ireland-3332864-Apr2017/
37Aquatic biomassSea weed (Ascophyllum nodusum)40000Cosmetics , nutrion foods and pharmaceuticalsNA-Cosmetics, Nutraceutical, Biomaterials, Textile,40000www.fora.ie/seaweed-sector-ireland-3332864-Apr2017/
38Aquatic biomassSea weed (Ascophyllum nodusum)40000Cosmetics , nutrion foods and pharmaceuticalsNA-Cosmetics, Nutraceutical, Biomaterials, Textile,40000www.fora.ie/seaweed-sector-ireland-3332864-Apr2017/
39Aquatic biomassSea weed (Ascophyllum nodusum)40000Cosmetics , nutrion foods and pharmaceuticalsNA-Cosmetics, Nutraceutical, Biomaterials, Textile,40000www.fora.ie/seaweed-sector-ireland-3332864-Apr2017/

Biomass Residues from Agriculture Sector

SNoBiomass CategoryBiomassTheoretical availability (t/year)Traditional usesPlant partsMain utilization as BBPsPossible future innovative utilizationAvailable amount of Biomass for BBPs (t/year)Notes
1Agriculture residuesSpring barley straw218400FodderStraw-Biomaterials (Biopackaging) Advanced Biofuels, Textile80190Straw yileds conversion values- https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2016/12.-Straw-for-Energy.pdf
2Agriculture residuesSpring wheat straw10250FodderStraw-Biomaterials (Biopackaging) Advanced Biofuels, Textile3575-
3Agriculture residuesSpring oats straw24570FodderStraw-Biomaterials (Biopackaging) Advanced Biofuels, Textile8853-
4Agriculture residuesOil seed rape straw22400Fodder-Biomaterials (Biopackaging) Advanced Biofuels, Textile10720-
5Agriculture residuesWinter wheat straw69120Fodder-Biomaterials (Biopackaging) Advanced Biofuels, Textile25812-
6Agriculture residuesWinter barley straw120240Fodder-Biomaterials (Biopackaging) Advanced Biofuels, Textile42804-
7Agriculture residuesWinter oats straw29600Fodder-Biomaterials (Biopackaging) Advanced Biofuels, Textile11000-

Biomass Residues from Zootechnical Sector

SNoBiomass CategoryBiomassTheoretical availability (t/year)Traditional usesPlant partsMain utilization as BBPsPossible future innovative utilizationAvailable amount of Biomass for BBPs (t/year)Notes
1Zootechnical Sector (livestock farms)Pig slurry1091125Compost and Land spreadSlurry-Advanced biofuels, Biofertilizers545563Data for Number of heads are obtained from Central Statistics Office (https://www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Statire/SelectVarVal/Define.asp?maintable=AAA07&PLanguage=0); 2017 data; Conversion values are obtained from the published article Singh et al, 2009. Composition data is obtained from Celignis database and Carbolea http://www.carbolea.ul.ie/manures.php
2Zootechnical Sector (livestock farms)Pig slurry1091125Compost and Land spreadManure-Advanced biofuels, Biofertilizers545563Data for Number of heads are obtained from Central Statistics Office (https://www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Statire/SelectVarVal/Define.asp?maintable=AAA07&PLanguage=0); 2017 data; Conversion values are obtained from the published article Singh et al, 2009. Composition data is obtained from Celignis database and Carbolea http://www.carbolea.ul.ie/manures.php
3Zootechnical Sector (livestock farms)Pig slurry1091125Compost and Land spreadPoultry litter-Advanced biofuels, Biofertilizers545563Data for Number of heads are obtained from Central Statistics Office (https://www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Statire/SelectVarVal/Define.asp?maintable=AAA07&PLanguage=0); 2017 data; Conversion values are obtained from the published article Singh et al, 2009. Composition data is obtained from Celignis database and Carbolea http://www.carbolea.ul.ie/manures.php
4Zootechnical Sector (livestock farms)Cattle manure17495662Compost and Land spreadManure-Advanced biofuels, Biofertilizers12353750-
5Zootechnical Sector (livestock farms)Cattle manure17495662Compost and Land spreadWaste Wool-Advanced biofuels, Biofertilizers12353750-
6Zootechnical Sector (livestock farms)Cattle manure17495662Compost and Land spread-Advanced biofuels, Biofertilizers12353750-
7Zootechnical Sector (livestock farms)Poultry litter1680000Compost and Land spread-Advanced biofuels, Biofertilizers1680000-
8Zootechnical Sector (livestock farms)Poultry litter1680000Compost and Land spread-Advanced biofuels, Biofertilizers1680000-
9Zootechnical Sector (livestock farms)Poultry litter1680000Compost and Land spread-Advanced biofuels, Biofertilizers1680000-
10Zootechnical Sector (livestock farms)Sheep manure139005Compost and Land spread-Advanced biofuels, Biofertilizers1680000-
11Zootechnical Sector (livestock farms)Sheep manure139005Compost and Land spread-Advanced biofuels, Biofertilizers1680000-
12Zootechnical Sector (livestock farms)Sheep manure139005Compost and Land spread-Advanced biofuels, Biofertilizers69503-
13Zootechnical Sector (livestock farms)Sheep manure139005Compost and Land spread-Advanced biofuels, Biofertilizers69503-
14Zootechnical Sector (livestock farms)Waste wool59119Disposed-Cosmetics, Textile, Biomaterials59119-
15Zootechnical Sector (livestock farms)Waste wool59119Disposed-Cosmetics, Textile, Biomaterials59119-

Biomass Residues from Zootechnical and Agro-Sector

SNoBiomass CategoryBiomassTheoretical availability (t/year)Traditional usesPlant partsMain utilization as BBPsPossible future innovative utilizationAvailable amount of Biomass for BBPs (t/year)Notes
1Zootechnical IndustryCattle slaughter waste137342DisposedSlaughter Waste-Feed, Biomaterials, Biofertilizers, Advanced biofuels, Cosmetics68671Data for Number of heads are obtained from Central Statistics Office (https://www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Statire/SelectVarVal/Define.asp?maintable=AAA07&PLanguage=0); 2017 data; Conversion values are obtained from the published article Singh et al, 2009. Composition data is obtained from Celignis database and Carbolea http://www.carbolea.ul.ie/manures.php
2Zootechnical IndustryCattle slaughter waste137342DisposedSlaughter Waste-Feed, Biomaterials, Biofertilizers, Advanced biofuels, Cosmetics68671Data for Number of heads are obtained from Central Statistics Office (https://www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Statire/SelectVarVal/Define.asp?maintable=AAA07&PLanguage=0); 2017 data; Conversion values are obtained from the published article Singh et al, 2009. Composition data is obtained from Celignis database and Carbolea http://www.carbolea.ul.ie/manures.php
3Zootechnical IndustryCattle slaughter waste137342DisposedSlaughter Waste-Feed, Biomaterials, Biofertilizers, Advanced biofuels, Cosmetics68671Data for Number of heads are obtained from Central Statistics Office (https://www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Statire/SelectVarVal/Define.asp?maintable=AAA07&PLanguage=0); 2017 data; Conversion values are obtained from the published article Singh et al, 2009. Composition data is obtained from Celignis database and Carbolea http://www.carbolea.ul.ie/manures.php
4Zootechnical IndustryPig slaughter waste20318DisposedSlaughter Waste-Feed, Biomaterials, Biofertilizers, Advanced biofuels, Cosmetics10159-
5Zootechnical IndustryPig slaughter waste20318DisposedCo-products Process-Feed, Biomaterials, Biofertilizers, Advanced biofuels, Cosmetics10159-
6Zootechnical IndustryPig slaughter waste20318Disposed-Feed, Biomaterials, Biofertilizers, Advanced biofuels, Cosmetics10159-
7Zootechnical IndustrySheep slaughter waste19183Disposed-Feed, Biomaterials, Biofertilizers, Advanced biofuels, Cosmetics10686-
8Zootechnical IndustrySheep slaughter waste19183Disposed-Feed, Biomaterials, Biofertilizers, Advanced biofuels, Cosmetics10686-
9Zootechnical IndustrySheep slaughter waste19183Disposed-Feed, Biomaterials, Biofertilizers, Advanced biofuels, Cosmetics10686-
10Zootechnical IndustryPoultry slaughter waste13188Disposed-Feed, Biomaterials, Biofertilizers, Advanced biofuels, Cosmetics13188-
11Zootechnical IndustryPoultry slaughter waste13188Disposed-Feed, Biomaterials, Biofertilizers, Advanced biofuels, Cosmetics13188-
12Zootechnical IndustryPoultry slaughter waste13188Disposed-Feed, Biomaterials, Biofertilizers, Advanced biofuels, Cosmetics13188-
13Agro-industrySpent mushroom compost35000Compost and land spread-Biofertilizers, Biomaterials, Advanced biofuels, Biochar, Nutraceutaical, Feed35000https://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/research/waste/STRIVE_74_web.pdf

Biomass Residues from Fishing Industry

SNoBiomass CategoryBiomassTheoretical availability (t/year)Traditional usesPlant partsMain utilization as BBPsPossible future innovative utilizationAvailable amount of Biomass for BBPs (t/year)Notes
1Aquatic industryCrustacean waste2111LandfillCo-products Process-Feed, Biomaterials, Biofertilizers, Advanced biofuels, Cosmetics2111Disposalandreutilisationoffishandfishprocessingwaste (http://epub.sub.uni-hamburg.de/epub/volltexte/2009/1476/pdf/DK01003)
2Aquatic industryCrustacean waste2111LandfillCo-products Process-Feed, Biomaterials, Biofertilizers, Advanced biofuels, Cosmetics2111Disposalandreutilisationoffishandfishprocessingwaste (http://epub.sub.uni-hamburg.de/epub/volltexte/2009/1476/pdf/DK01003)
3Aquatic industryCrustacean waste2111LandfillCo-products Process-Feed, Biomaterials, Biofertilizers, Advanced biofuels, Cosmetics2111Disposalandreutilisationoffishandfishprocessingwaste (http://epub.sub.uni-hamburg.de/epub/volltexte/2009/1476/pdf/DK01003)
4Aquatic industryFish waste20095Landfill-Feed, Nutraceutical, Biomaterials, Textile, Cosmetics.20095-
5Aquatic industryFish waste20095Landfill-Feed, Nutraceutical, Biomaterials, Textile, Cosmetics.20095-
6Aquatic industryMollusca waste5023Landfill-Feed, Biomaterials, Cosmetics.5023-
7Aquatic industryMollusca waste5023Landfill-Feed, Biomaterials, Cosmetics.5023-
background glossary section

Glossary

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Bio-based carbon

Carbon derived from biomass

Biodegradability

Biodegradability refers to a process in which microorganisms convert the material into substances such as compost, carbon dioxide, methane or water through metabolic or enzymatic processes. The ultimate condition is the complete transformation of organic compounds into reduced simple molecules (such as carbon dioxide/methane, nitrate/ammonium, and water) and new biomass. Under aerobic conditions, carbon dioxide is the primary gas emitted while in the case of anaerobic conditions it is methane. The term “biodegradable” should always be associated with the type of medium (e.g. soil, water, in vitro medium), the conditions (e.g. temperature and humidity) and the duration of the biodegradation. For instance, among currently marketed bioplastics, PLA is always claimed as “biodegradable” while in reality, PLA is only industrially compostable (e.g. at 58°C and controlled conditions of humidity). Without this, PLA packaging, despite being made from renewable resources, is a plastic that will persist in our environment for a hundred years.

Biodegradable plastics

Biodegradable plastic means a plastic capable of undergoing physical, biological decomposition, such that it ultimately decomposes into carbon dioxide, biomass and water, without leaving behind any residue, and in accordance with European standards for packaging recoverable through composting and anaerobic digestion. Biodegradable plastics are designed to biodegrade in a specific medium (water, soil, compost) under certain conditions and in varying periods of time. (EEA, 2020) Therefore the label “biodegradable” must always have a clear sign of the environment in which the test was performed.

Bioeconomy

The bioeconomy covers all sectors and systems that rely on biological resources (animals, plants, micro-organisms and derived biomass, including organic waste), their functions and principles. It includes and interlinks: land and marine ecosystems and the services they provide; all primary production sectors that use and produce biological resources (agriculture, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture); and all economic and industrial sectors that use biological resources and processes to produce food, feed, bio-based products, energy and services. / * Biomedicines and health biotechnology are excluded

Biofertiliser

A substance which contains living micro-organisms which, when applied to seeds, plant surfaces, or soil, colonise the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promotes growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant. Note to entry: Biofertilisers add nutrients through the natural processes of nitrogen fixation, solubilizing phosphorus, and stimulating plant growth through the synthesis of growth-promoting substances. The micro-organisms in biofertilisers restore the soil's natural nutrient cycle and build soil organic matter. Through the use of biofertilisers, healthy plants can be grown, while enhancing the sustainability and the health of the soil. Biofertilisers can be expected to reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, but they are not yet able to replace their use.

Biorefinery

Biorefining is the sustainable processing of biomass into a spectrum of bio-based products (food, feed, chemicals, materials) and bioenergy (biofuels, power and/or heat) (De Jong et al, 2020). This concept is analogous to today's petroleum refinery, which produces multiple fuels and products from petroleum.

Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS)

The process of capturing carbon dioxide before it enters the atmosphere, transporting it, and storing it for centuries or millennia.

Carbon capture and use (CCU)

The process of capturing carbon dioxide to be recycled for further usage. CCU is a broad term that covers all established and innovative industrial processes that aim at capturing carbon dioxide– either from industrial point sources or directly from the air – and at transforming the captured carbon dioxide into a variety of value-added products such as chemical building blocks, food/feed, synthetic fuels or materials.

Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS)

Technologies that involve the capture of carbon dioxide from fuel combustion or industrial processes, the transport of this carbon dioxide via ship or pipeline, and either its use as a resource to create valuable products or services or its permanent storage deep underground in geological formations. CCUS technologies also provide the foundation for carbon removal or "negative emissions" when the carbon dioxide comes from bio-based processes or directly from the atmosphere.

Carbon debt

The initial emission of biogenic-CO2 from forest bioenergy when it is higher than the emissions from a reference fossil system. It is called debt because the forest re-growth combined with the continuous substitution of fossil fuels may, in time, repay the “debt”.

Carbon footprint

The full quantity of greenhouse gases that can be attributed to an individual, a plant, a company, a product or a whole economy.

Carbon-neutral

Balancing the amount of carbon released – by burning fossil fuels or biomass, or the decomposition of plant biomass, for example – with an equivalent amount put into and stored in soils, plant and animal tissues, or other material such as the ocean floor.

Cascading

Cascading use is the efficient utilization of resources by using residues and recycled materials for material use to extend total biomass availability within a given system. In a single-stage cascade, the wood is processed into a product and this product is used once more for energy purposes. In a multistage cascade, the wood is processed into a product and this product is used at least once more in material form before disposal or recovery for energy purposes.

Composting

Treatment process that decomposes organic matter in an oxygenated environment. The result is nutrient-rich fertilizer or soil amendment.. Common types of composting include industrial composting (also known as ‘commercial composting’) and home composting.

Fertiliser

A chemical or natural substance added to soil or land to increase its fertility.

Life cycle assessment (LCA)

Life cycle assessment (previously also known as life cycle analysis) is defined as a systematic analysis of environmental impacts of a product or service throughout its entire life cycle. For this analysis, the material and energy inputs and outputs along all steps of the life cycle (this includes raw material extraction, production, distribution, use and disposal at end-of-life) are collected and then assessed in terms of potential environmental impacts of a product system. LCA is accepted as one of the main methods to identify environmental impacts and is standardised on the widely accepted standards ISO 14040 and ISO 14044. Life cycle inventory and life cycle impact assessment are consecutive parts of a life cycle assessment.Comparative life cycle assessment refers to a life cycle assessment. in which two or more products or systems are compared. Streamlined life cycle assessment refers to a simplified version of a life cycle assessment. that focuses on the most significant environmental impacts of a product or system.

Natural capital

The stock of renewable and non-renewable resources (e.g. plants, animals, air, water, soils, minerals) that combine to yield a flow of benefits to people.

Refinery

A refinery is a technical plant for the purification and refinement of raw materials (e.g. fractionation of crude oils via distillation which is based on the different boiling points of the respective fractions). Often, it refers to a petroleum oil refinery, which consists of a group of chemical engineering processing and refining units to convert crude oil into basic chemicals for further utilisation. This is usually done via cracking (steam cracking or catalytic cracking), a process in which large hydrocarbon molecules are broken down into smaller and more useful ones. A key product of a refinery is fossil-based petroleum naphtha, an intermediate liquid hydrocarbon stream, which serves as a raw material for the production of many other chemicals. Petroleum naphtha can be replaced with naphtha derived from renewable carbon alternatives (either bio-based, CO2 -based or chemical recycling). Different refineries also exist for other raw materials, e.g. sugar, salt, natural gas, edible oils, metals etc.

Value chains

A value chain describes the flow of value between different actors in a supply chain and may include a broader set of actors than in supply chains. Value can be reflected by a range of terms: • Economic – where value chains describe the flow of profit or income between actors in the supply chain. For example, the flow of income to different actors based on the input and output costs. • Environmental/climatic – where value chains describe the flow of benefits to given environmental or climate objectives. For example, the greenhouse gas emissions avoided as a result of a bioeconomy value chain. • Social – where value chains describe the flow of benefits to people and communities. For example, the jobs created in rural areas as a result of new value chains. These are distinct from supply chains, which describe the flow of goods and services between different actors, such as the production of wheat, its collection, processing, the manufacturing of pasta and eventual sale.

Waste streams

Waste streams are flows of specific waste, from its source through to recovery, recycling or disposal. Waste streams can be divided into two main categories: material-related streams (including metals; glass; paper and cardboard; plastics; wood; rubber; textiles; bio-waste) and product-related streams (including packaging; electronic waste; batteries and accumulators; end-of-life vehicles; mining, construction and demolition waste). Each waste stream has its specific characteristics and applicable legislation, including in terms of treatment method, hazardousness, practical recovery and recycling possibilities.

The glossary contains terms and definitions sourced from the BIOSWITCH Glossary of terms and definitions. Access the glossary provided by the Bioswitch EU project here.

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