Biomass economic value

Leaves unsuitable for silkworm rearing are generally fed to hvestock. We have modelled them as a substitute for intensive hay (Ecoinvent), as mulberry leaves have nutritional properties similar to alfalfa hay (Doran et al., 2007). Mulberry woody biomass is treated as a substitute for eucalyptus firewood, with corrections for lower HHV. Rearing waste is assumed to reduce the need of imported FYM, as they have a similar composition (Dandin et al., 2003) and composted waste makes effective fertili2er for mulberry. There are few products directly comparable to pupae, sUk, and silk waste from reeling that are exclusively allocated based on their economic value. 

Advantages of Genencor s biocatalytic conversion of biomass to value-added chemicals include, a) commercial viability, simplicity and economic feasibility b) prevention of product inhibition of cellulosic enzymes by concurrent conversion to bioproducts c) feasibility of quantitative conversion, d) elimination of byproducts e) higher productivity and yield on carbon J) production capacity enhancement. This biocatal) ic conversion concept is novel because a multienzyme process for converting renewable biomass to value-added commercial ingredients has not yet been commercially demonstrated. 

Gasification of coal can produce synthesis gas (syngas) not only from coals having a wide range of heat values but also from low-value carbon feedstocks such as petroleum coke, high-sulfur fuel oil, municipal wastes, and biomass. This flexibility increases the economic value of these resources and lowers costs by providing industry with a broader range of feedstock options. 

The economic value of biomass is determined by the revenue from the various products on the market and the production costs (e.g., capital and operation costs) of the various products. In most of the cases products with a relative high market value are associated with high production costs, and vice versa. In addition, also the size of the market is relevant for the economic feasibihty of biorefining. In most of the cases, products with a high market value have a relative small market (e.g., speciality chemicals) and vice versa (e.g., liquid... 

The following chapter describes a novel process developed by Biofine based on thermochemical conversion of cellulosic biomass to value-added fuels and chemicals. The technology has the potential to be economically competitive with existing crude oil based refining. Its commercial application offers the prospect of an economically viable fuels and chemicals industry based on domestically grown raw materials. 

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