Fundamental Biochemical and Biotechnological Principles of Biomass Growth and Use 29
20
:Plant-Oil
:Biomass
10 10
30 5 535
300
20
15
5
85
Figure 1.3Expected biomass trade routes by 2020 (TWh) (King and Hagan, 2010).
oil refineries. Because feedstock transport distances are economically limited, biomass
refineries will reach much smaller capacities than big oil refineries. Consequently, the
bio-economy is a special opportunity for SMEs.
1.3.13 Questions for Further Consideration
Does bio-feedstock provide an alternative to fossil feedstock? What are the differences?
What are limiting economical, ecological, and societal factors in using bio-feedstock?
What makes a bio-based production site attractive?
1.4 General Considerations Surrounding Bio-Based Raw Materials
1.4.1 Economical Challenges
Energy carriers and chemicals represent an extremely wide range of value. The more
specific the function of a molecule is, the more the added value is. For example,
a pharmaceutical active addressing a very specific physiological response such as
a monoclonal antibody might be valued millions of dollars per kilogram. Astaxanthin, a
feed additive giving salmon its typical red color, earns more than $1000 kg−^1 .However,
such molecules reach market volumes of only gram (special pharma actives) or up
to 10,000 tons per year and belong to the fine chemicals sector, which makes about
10% of all chemical sales. Specialties are produced in the 100,000 tons range (30%
of chemical sales) and bulk products (60% of chemical sales) like monomers for
plastics are produced in more than 100,000 and even million tons per year range. In
this segment, market prices are in the $1–2 kg−^1 range or even lower, and therefore
only extremely low production costs are tolerated. Besides capital and running cost,
