This paper deals with a biorefi nery classifi cation approach developed within International Energy Agency (IEA) Bioenergy Task 42. Since production of transportation biofuels is seen as the driving force for future biorefi nery developments, a selection of the most interesting transportation biofuels until 2020 is based on their characteristics to be mixed with gasoline, diesel and natural gas, refl ecting the main advantage of using the already-existing infrastructure for easier market introduction.This classifi cation approach relies on four main features: (1) platforms; (2) products; (3) feedstock; and (4) processes. The platforms are the most important feature in this classifi cation approach: they are key intermediates between raw materials and fi nal products, and can be used to link different biorefi nery concepts. The adequate combination of these four features represents each individual biorefi nery system. The combination of individual biorefi nery systems, linked through their platforms, products or feedstocks, provides an overview of the most promising biorefi nery systems in a classifi cation network. According to the proposed approach, a biorefi nery is described by a standard format as 'platform(s) -products -and feedstock(s)'. Processes can be added to the description, if further specifi cation is required. Selected examples of biorefi nery classifi cation are provided; for example, (1) one platform (C6 sugars) biorefi nery for bioethanol and animal feed from starch crops (corn); and (2) four platforms (lignin/syngas, C5/C6 sugars) biorefi nery for synthetic liquid biofuels (Fischer-Tropsch diesel), bioethanol and animal feed from lignocellulosic crops (switchgrass).This classifi cation approach is fl exible as new subgroups can be added according to future developments in the biorefi nery area.

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Biorefinery success often depends on good collaboration between partners. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd