Biomass for the 21st century – B21st

Sustainable production promoting jobs, growth, improved environment and less pollution – new technology aims at the markets for advanced processing and supply of biomass to fuels and chemicals. The vision is to expand our knowledge and development of biomass resources and technologies to go beyond their current use for heat, power and ethanol towards future areas of chemicals and maritime fuels. The main commercial and strategic drivers are 1) the global need to reduce dependence on fossil resources whilst enhancing energy security and 2) reducing the current high emission levels of green- house gases. To meet these goals the parties will develop technology and infrastructure for the future expansion of biomass into a biorefinery sector for fuels and chemicals. It is of critical importance to the platform that increased use of biomass does not compromise food security and/or expand the land use area. The platform must therefore mobilise the sustainable biological potential within agriculture and forestry for increased biomass production using existing land resources by developing dual-purpose crops for food and energy.