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Ionic liquids (ILs) have great potential as solvents and catalysts for pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass. However, process scale-up necessitates that IL-based pretreatment methods be optimized in terms of cost and sustainability. In this study, low-cost and easily synthesizable ethanolammonium-based ILs were prepared and used in the pretreatment of sugar cane straw (SW). The effects of ILs, IL mixtures, pretreatment temperature, water content, solids loading, ultrasonication, and agitation speed on residual solids enzymatic digestibility and delignification were systematically assessed, and the process was scaled up from a 50 mL static flask to a 1 L impelled reactor. IL mixtures improved enzymatic digestibility at higher solids loading and water addition in the reaction medium under mild temperature conditions (90 °C). Enzymatic hydrolysis of residual solids after bench-scale pretreatment of SW for 3 h at 15% (w/w) solids loading and 20% (w/w) water content in the liquid phase resulted in 98% cellulose digestibility under nonoptimized conditions. This study provides a practical review of ILbased pretreatment methods, discusses the selection of variables for process design and scale-up, and presents empirical results.

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Transitioning from gasoline and petroleum‐based products to biofuels and green chemicals is a paradigm shift that will lead to the development of the bioeconomy. In this sense, the role of biorefineries in countries like Brazil is very important as the country generates a huge amount of second generation (2G) biomass every year and also has an attractive consumable market. However, technological innovations are still required to unleash the fullest potential of biomass conversion to biofuels and biochemicals, although successful examples are already a reality. For example, Amyris Inc. has developed renewable products for cosmetics (squalene), healthcare (artemisinin), and flavors / fragrances, and Suzano Papel e Celulose has developed sustainable technologies for the production of pulp and paper, and lignin‐derived adhesives (Ecolig). First‐generation ethanol in Brazil is an established source of transportation fuel but 2G ethanol production with low production costs is still a challenge at commercial scale, and companies like Raízen and GranBio continue making efforts to improve the economic feasibility of the adopted processes. In this context, the RenovaBio Policy launched by the Federal Brazilian Government in December 2017 aims to boost the production and utilization of biofuels and green chemicals in the country. Considering the matters mentioned above, this paper discusses the Brazilian biorefinery developments, technological advances, and current industrial scenario for the production of biofuels and chemicals. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.