IEA-Bioenergy Task 42: Biorefining in a Circular Economy (Working Period 2016 - 2018)

The task deals with the analysis and dissemination of relevant information concerning biorefineries. In the last period the focus was on the development of an open-access tool for the TEE-evaluation (Technical/Economic/Environmental Assessment) of biorefineries.

Short Description

Austria supports the Technology Collaboration Programme IEA-Bioenergy. The strategic objective of the task is to promote the establishment of biorefineries for the sustainable processing of biomass into a range of marketable and bio-based products in combination with the provision of renewable bioenergy. This combined production of products and energy from biomass represents a sustainable system solution that is not based on fossil raw materials and supports the recycling economy. The work in Task 42 essentially took place at the following levels of activity:

  1. Networking of participating countries and national knowledge by means of experts,
  2. analysis, assessment and classification of biorefineries (in terms of technology, products, quality, marketability and sustainability assessment (LCA),
  3. strategies for the development or implementation of biorefineries and Circular Economy and
  4. the broad dissemination of the results and interaction of stakeholders.

Results

In the 2016-2018 working period, the Austrian consortium made substantial contributions to the contents of Task 42. An open-access tool for the evaluation of biorefineries was developed, which systematically supports a TEE analysis (Technical/Economic/Environmental Assessment) of biorefinery processes. The results of the analysis of biorefinery processes in the form of case studies were summarized using so-called "Biorefinery Factsheets".

Specific market and technology reports were prepared on the topics of protein and biobased fibers & materials, which show the potential of these products for the establishment of biorefineries and summarize important information on the market environment.

The respective national status of the participating countries in the field of biorefineries was summarized and published in "Biorefinery Country Reports".

A survey on the biobased economy, in particular on the existing national bio-economy strategies, was initiated together with other international institutions and the results were published in reports and on an online platform.

The dissemination of the results, reports and publications took place primarily via the international homepage of the IEA Bioenergy Task 42 Biorefining as well as via the national platform of the IEA Bioenergy Research Cooperation.

The national actors were informed about current results and events via digital newsletters. In addition, one networking event was held per year.

Project Images

Terms of use: The pictures listed underneath the header “Project Pictures” originate from the projects in the frame of the programmes City of Tomorrow, Building of Tomorrow and the IEA Research Cooperation. They may be used credited for non-commercial purposes under the Creative Commons License Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC).

Participants

Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, USA

Contact Address

DI Michael Mandl (National Team Leader)
tbw research GesmbH
A-1120 Vienna, Schönbrunner Straße 297/2/4
Tel.: +43 (699) 14445211
E-Mail: m.mandl@tbwresearch.org

DI (FH) Johannes Lindorfer
Energieinstitut an der Johannes Kepler Universität Linz
A-4040 Linz, Altenbergerstraße 69
Tel.: +43 (732) 24685653
E-Mail: lindorfer@energieinstitut-linz.at

DI Dr. Franziska Hesser
Kompetenzzentrum Holz GmbH
A-4040 Linz, Altenberger Straße 69
Tel.: +43 (1) 47654-73518
E-Mail: f.hesser@wood-kplus.at