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Fundamental Biochemical and Biotechnological Principles
of Biomass Growth and Use
Manfred Kircher
KADIB-Kircher Advice in Bioeconomy Kurhessenstr, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
For the first time in history, we face the risk of a global decline. But we are also
the first to enjoy the opportunity of learning quickly from developments in societies
anywhere else in the world today, and from what has unfolded in societies at any
time in the past.
Jared Diamond, 2005
1.1 Learning Objectives
This chapter discusses about vegetable biomass and its future role as industrial feedstock
to provide fuel and chemicals. In the transition phase from the current fossil-based into
the bio-based economy, vegetable biomass needs to face up to competition against the
fossil benchmark, which is at mineral oil. Therefore, this chapter starts with an analysis
of the fossil economy, especially in the chemical sector.
In future, when fossil feedstock inevitably becomes scarce and the bio-economy
increasingly unfolds, vegetable biomass must meet the industrial feedstock demand for
a growing global population. While further serving the traditional food, feed, and fiber
markets, this is no easy challenge. More sustainable carbon sources and applications
are another topic of this chapter.
Turning the bio-economy into reality is more than a technical issue. From an abstract
point of view, it needs scientific and technical push as well as market pull to make the
bio-innovation leap. But first and foremost, it needs people with visionary: devoted
scientists, future-oriented entrepreneurs, a supportive political framework, and last
but not least a willing general public. These so-called pillars of competitiveness are
presented as well.
The learning objectives of this chapter are
- the significance of carbon in our economy;
- the fundamental biochemical and biotechnological principles of fossil- and bio-based
carbon sources concerning nature, production, and processing; and
- the complex challenges in making vegetable biomass the dominant sustainable
feedstock.
Introduction to Renewable Biomaterials: First Principles and Concepts,First Edition.
Edited by Ali S. Ayoub and Lucian A. Lucia.
© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Published 2018 by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
