The cellulose resource matrix

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers 2013-03, Vol.93 (1), p.9-21
• Main Authors: Keijsers, Edwin R.P., Yılmaz, Gülden, van Dam, Jan E.G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Bio-economy; biofuels; biomass; biorefinery; Cell Wall - chemistry; Cellulose - chemistry; Cellulose - economics; Cellulose - isolation & purification; Cellulose and derivatives; Cellulose resources; chemistry; Conservation of Natural Resources - economics; Conservation of Natural Resources - methods; Databases, Factual; ethanol; Exact sciences and technology; feedstocks; Flax - chemistry; ICT tool; Marketing - economics; Marketing - methods; Matrix structure; Microfibrils - chemistry; Natural polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; plant fibers; Polymerization; Polymers - chemistry; Processes and markets; Solubility; systems; Wood - chemistry
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2012.08.110

► Cellulose resources were categorized and classified according technical parameters. ► Conversion processes were classified according processing parameters and economics. ► Markets of lignocellulosics were characterized according market requirements. ► Data sets of properties, processing and markets are clustered as matrix structure. ► The cellulose resource matrix is a ICT tool for information and data management. The emerging biobased economy is causing shifts from mineral fossil oil based resources towards renewable resources. Because of market mechanisms, current and new industries utilising renewable commodities, will attempt to secure their supply of resources. Cellulose is among these commodities, where large scale competition can be expected and already is observed for the traditional industries such as the paper industry. Cellulose and lignocellulosic raw materials (like wood and non-wood fibre crops) are being utilised in many industrial sectors. Due to the initiated transition towards biobased economy, these raw materials are intensively investigated also for new applications such as 2nd generation biofuels and ‘green’ chemicals and materials production (Clark, 2007; Lange, 2007; Petrus & Noordermeer, 2006; Ragauskas et al., 2006; Regalbuto, 2009). As lignocellulosic raw materials are available in variable quantities and qualities, unnecessary competition can be avoided via the choice of suitable raw materials for a target application. For example, utilisation of cellulose as carbohydrate source for ethanol production (Kabir Kazi et al., 2010) avoids the discussed competition with easier digestible carbohydrates (sugars, starch) deprived from the food supply chain. Also for cellulose use as a biopolymer several different competing markets can be distinguished. It is clear that these applications and markets will be influenced by large volume shifts. The world will have to reckon with the increase of competition and feedstock shortage (land use/biodiversity) (van Dam, de Klerk-Engels, Struik, & Rabbinge, 2005). It is of interest – in the context of sustainable development of the bioeconomy – to categorize the already available and emerging lignocellulosic resources in a matrix structure. When composing such “cellulose resource matrix” attention should be given to the quality aspects as well as to the available quantities and practical possibilities of processing the feedstock and the performance in the end-application. The cellulose resource mat