Logistics of Renewable Raw Materials

Magnus FrShling, J8rg Schweinie, J8rn-Christian Meyer, and Frank Schultmann 

In comparison to their fossil counterparts process chains based on renewable raw materials differ in many aspects. Operations for cultivation, harvesting, and provision of renewable raw materials take place in a natural environment. The raw materials accme spatially distributed on large areas. Amount and characteristics of the resources underlie seasonal variances and restrictions. As a rule, the abilities and capabUities for storage are hmited. Long-distance transports are disadvantageous because of comparable high water contents and low calorific values. 

Renewable Raiv Materials New Feedstocks for Chemical Industry, First Edition. 

Edited by Roland Ulber, Dieter Sell, Thomas Hirth. 

The structure of this chapter is as follows. First, we characterize renewable raw materials concerning the determining factors for logistics. Thereby we also consider the issues regarding the mobihzation of the available biomass. Following this the processing steps for the provision of the biomass are explained before we derive the consequences for the planning of the industrial scale utiUzation chains. Finally, we summarize our contribution and draw conclusions. 

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In comparison to industrial utiUzation chains for fossil raw materials chains for renewable raw materials are differing manifold. In the foUowing, main determining factors leading to different processing steps and special requirements concerning the logistics of renewable raw material-based industrial value chains are discussed. These comprise the natural environment in which it is operated, the characteristics of the renewable raw materials as well as the involved actors and stakeholders which are crucial for the mobihzation of the renewable raw materials. 

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