SUPRABIO

The SUPRABIO project investigated, developed and demonstrated a toolkit of novel generic processes that can be applied to a range of biorefinery concepts. These biorefinery concepts include a biochemical route for the production of second generation (lignocellulosic) ethanol, mixed organic acids or nanocellulose from straw and a thermochemical route for the production of Fischer-Tropsch (FT) fuels or dimethyl ether (DME) from forest residues. Furthermore, a number of other routes or add-ons were investigated. In the last couple of years, a controversial discussion on the net benefit of biofuels, bioenergy and bio-based materials has been going on, showing that the use of biomass is not sustainable per se, just because biomass is a renewable resource. Against this background, a comprehensive integrated sustainability assessment was conducted to validate the benefits and risks of the investigated SUPRABIO biorefinery concepts by means of a multi-criteria evaluation and, ultimately, to provide a basis for decision making processes.