Dossier
Biomass
Renewable bioresources from plants, but also from (food) waste streams, contain all kinds of valuable components such as proteins, sugars and (ligno) cellulose. Wageningen University & Research is working on innovative biorefinery to utilize all these components. The aim is to use these as high-quality as possible: in food, animal feed, for chemicals and materials. As a last option, we also look at whether a small part is still suitable for the production of biofuels for heavy transport.
Optimal use of biomass
Wageningen University & Research is developing opportunities for capturing all the value of biomass while maintaining soil quality. With corn, for example, we can use not just the cob but also the stalks, which contain valuable components for manufacturing plastics. This is the type of plural approach that Wageningen University & Research is taking, drawing on our expertise in biorefinery technologies, crop breeding, crop cultivation, biobased product development and economic models for developing a circular Biobased Economy.
News
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New circularity tool reveals possibilities for valuable use of residual flows
- The Ministry of LVVN commissioned researchers at Wageningen University & Research to develop a Circularity Assessment Tool for bio-based raw materials that provides a wider view of circularity in the use of these raw materials. Project leader Wolter Elbersen: "We can calculate a score for two different applications of the same bio-based materials. Classical principles are usually only based on a preferred hierarchy in the application (what do you prefer to make from them), but the new method also considers the composition of the bio-based material and how efficiently it is used." -
Marine based biomass as a source of protein and health-promoting compounds
- In the development of circular and climate neutral food, feed and non-food applications, low trophic marine biomass will play an important role. Low trophic marine species are positioned low in the food chain, like mussels, do not require land or fresh water and obtain their nutrition directly from their environment. -
How to make circular use of agricultural residues?
- By-products from the agrifood sector are increasingly being put to other uses. A new assessment framework, co-developed by Wageningen University & Research scientist Wolter Elbersen, helps to select the more circular application.
News 2016 - 2021
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New circularity tool reveals possibilities for valuable use of residual flows
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Marine based biomass as a source of protein and health-promoting compounds
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How to make circular use of agricultural residues?
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Leading role for electricity in reducing petroleum use
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Wageningen expertise in the IPCC climate report
Related dossiers
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Seaweed
- There is an increasing interest within Western Europe for the cultivation of seaweed as a resource for feed, bio-stimulants for soil and crops, and as a bio-feedstock. The fact that the cultivation of seaweed requires no farmland and that many types grow in salt or brackish water are distinct advantages. As yet, the cultivation of seaweed in the Dutch waters is limited, but in the coming decades more wind farms will be developed in the North Sea with opportunities for a combination with large-scale seaweed cultivation. Seaweed is already cultivated extensively in Asian countries, but the production methods are not always sustainable. Wageningen University & Research (WUR) works on sustainable seaweed cultivation technology, explicitly targeting the North Sea area. -
Elephant grass - Miscanthus
- It grows very fast, has the same energy value as coal, and it can be grown on the flight paths to Schiphol airport where it ensures that air traffic is not obstructed by geese, because geese do not like this crop. Miscanthus, also known as elephant grass, can be used as animal bedding or furnace fuel, but it can also be used to make building materials, paper, bioplastics or biofuels. -
Climate and forests
- There are more than 3 trillion trees on earth, that means there are about 422 trees per person. However, the total number of trees has almost been halved since the start of human civilization. Ecosystems with a long lifespan, like forests, are more vulnerable to the relatively quick changes of climate change. -
Manure
- Worldwide, animal husbandry produces large amounts of manure. This is rich in minerals (phosphates, nitrogen, potassium), but also in organic compounds. Manure can be used as a fertiliser or energy source, or to make new products, including bio-based ones. However, it is not always used optimally and therefore can have an adverse impact on the environment.
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Recent research into biomass
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Sustainable proteins can partially replace latex in carpet coatings
- Sustainable proteins can replace latex in carpet coatings up to twenty per cent. This was the conclusion of a study by Wageningen Food & Biobased Research and EOC Belgium NV. -
CAPCOM-NL
- In the CAPCOM-NL project, a Clean Agro Pellet Commodity was developed to enable the large-scale use of field and process residues for production of electricity, heat, liquid fuels, chemicals and materials.
The project was funded by TKI-BBE and project partners. It is a unique cooperation where the entire supply chain is represented: farmers (Cradle Crops), agro-industry (Palmaceites in Colombia and Raizen in Brazil), technology developers (Viride, Wageningen Food and Biobased Research and TNO), harbour facilities (SmartPort) and possible end users (RWE, AER). The project started in February 2019 and ended in April 2021. WFBR, TNO and Viride have performed the main research tasks. -
Sustainable forest management
- The effects of biomass harvest on nutrient budgets, productivity, and resilience of forests on poor sandy soils are unknown, since we lack science-based guidelines. This study will provide these guidelines based on a unique large-scale forest experiment and by using forest models.