A systematic analysis of economic evaluation studies of second‐generation biorefineries providing chemicals by applying biotechnological processes

Abstract

The objective of this review is a global assessment of the economics of second‐generation biorefineries, with a focus on the use of food waste and agricultural residues for chemical production by applying biotechnological processes. Analyses are conducted on feedstock and product distribution, applied economic models, and profitability figures for the period 2013–2018. In a study of 163 articles on different biorefinery systems, the production of chemicals is identified as the second major product class, after bioenergy. Bagasse and straw are frequently analyzed second‐generation feedstocks. Based on the evaluation of 22 articles, second‐generation biorefineries producing chemicals by applying biotechnological processes proves to be economically feasible. On average, both the internal rate of return (IRR) and the return on investment (ROI) are 20% and the payback period (PP) is 6 years. The cost share of feedstock in biorefineries is between 0–50%. The price of the end product and the fermentation yields have the most impact on profitability. The processing of food waste that has industrial and municipal origins appears more economical than the processing of agricultural residues. Scientists, policy makers and entrepreneurs with an appropriate risk tolerance are advised to pay particular attention to municipal food waste and the potential economic production of carboxylic acids. For various economic issues related to biorefineries, dynamic‐deterministic models are recommended, which can be extended by a stochastic model. This review provides an initial overview of the economic feasibility of second‐generation biorefineries. Further techno‐economic analyses are required to produce statistically significant statements on key profitability figures. © 2020 The Authors. Biofuels, Bioproducts, and Biorefining published by Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Techno-Economic Analysis as a Driver for Optimisation of Cellobiose Lipid Fermentation and Purification

“…Labour-dependent costs were the third major contributor, accounting for 17.42% of OC. This value is within the range of traditional chemical plants and biorefineries with single output systems (Peters and Timmerhaus, 1991;Jorissen et al, 2020). Utility costs accounted for 5.47% of the OC for CL production and are considered within range compared to literature values for biorefineries, covering a wide range from 6% (e.g., Gómez-Ríos et al, 2017) up to 41% (e.g., Mussatto et al, 2013).…”

“…However, it must be noted that only the disposal cost for the alkaline water used for reactor cleaning was considered. For consumables in biorefineries in general, values between 1% up to 14% of operation costs are usually spent (Jorissen et al, 2020).…”

Anaerobic fermentation for the production of short chain organic acids: Product concentration, yield and productivity in batch experiments at high feed concentration

“…More in general, techno-economic analyses of the whole process, also including the separation and purification stages, are needed. Few reviews cover business cases [46,47], providing an initial evaluation which however does not assess how each operating condition affects the economics of the downstream process. There is general agreement that further data and research are needed.…”

Broadening the product portfolio with cellulose and lignin nanoparticles in an elephant grass biorefinery

“…As single‐product strategies have been proven economically unfeasible, biorefineries are expected to provide a more efficient route based on the simultaneous production (i.e. co‐production) of chemicals, fuels and materials, analogously to oil refineries 6,7 . Biorefineries are the ultimate scenario for effective biomass processing that can significantly increase biorefinery revenue and competitiveness against refineries based on non‐renewable resources 7 …”

“…co-production) of chemicals, fuels and materials, analogously to oil refineries. 6,7 Biorefineries are the ultimate scenario for effective biomass processing that can significantly increase biorefinery revenue and competitiveness against refineries based on non-renewable resources. 7 Currently, most of the products reported in the literature as outcomes of lignocellulosic biorefineries are glucose, xylose and xylooligosaccharides.…”