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Biorefining (Biomass Refining)

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  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Polymeric Nanomaterials

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Synonyms

Biomass refining; Biorefinery; Biorefining

Definition

Biorefining is the process of biochemical conversion of biomass to bio-based products (e.g., food, feed, fuels, chemicals, and materials). Biorefining is similar to the conventional petroleum refinery in concept, and many different types of chemicals and materials can be prepared from biomass by biorefining. Future biorefining technology would make it possible to produce chemicals and materials that have traditionally been prepared from petroleum.

Introduction

In terms of biorefining, the biochemical conversion of biomass to biofuels and biochemicals has attracted worldwide attention over last few decades due to the increasing environmental problem of CO2emissions and the impending energy crisis due to fossil fuel depletion. Biomass biologically derived from living organisms is commonly recognized as an eco-friendly and renewable energy resource from which biofuels, biochemicals, and biodegradable materials can be...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Green Chemistry & Engineering Division, Center for Bio-based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, 305-600, Republic of Korea

    In Yong Eom, Ju Hyun Yu & Jonggeon Jegal

Authors
  1. In Yong Eom
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  2. Ju Hyun Yu
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  3. Jonggeon Jegal
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to In Yong Eom .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Kyoto Institute of Technology R & D Center for Bio-Based Materials, Kyoto, Japan

    Shiro Kobayashi

  2. Max-Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung, Mainz, Germany

    Klaus Müllen

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Eom, I.Y., Yu, J.H., Jegal, J. (2015). Biorefining (Biomass Refining). In: Kobayashi, S., Müllen, K. (eds) Encyclopedia of Polymeric Nanomaterials. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36199-9_399-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36199-9_399-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-36199-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Chemistry and Mat. ScienceReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics

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