Production synergies in the current biofuel industry: opportunities for development

Abstract

Background: With criticism about the economic viability and environmental performance of biofuels, the use of byproducts and integration with external industries could be achieved to improve their performance and provide further use for byproducts and wastes. Methodology: A review of potential byproduct and utility exchanges between biofuel and external industries has been documented in this article through a literature review and brainstorming workshop, and results have been classified based on their interactions. Results: It has been found that byproduct exchanges, especially those between biofuel industries, and exchanges between the biofuel industries and the food, feed, agriculture and energy industries, offer many potential exchanges. Conclusion: The identified synergies offer possibilities for potential collaboration partners in symbiotic exchanges with the biofuel industry.

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the biofuel synergies reference group for meeting several times each year to conduct biofuel research and guide the project entitled, ‘Synergies for Improved Environmental Performance of 1st Generation Biofuels’ forward.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors would like to thank the Swedish Research Council (FORMAS) for their economic support, without which the research could not be possible. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Notes

Data taken from [26].