About the Research Platform
The South African Biorefinery Research Platform is an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) aimed at consolidating research on the valorisation of biomass and biomass-waste being undertaken by South African Universities, Science Councils and public Research Institutions.
By consolidating the various research projects, the Department aims to unlock the potential social, environmental and economic opportunities that biomass and biomass-waste provide.
The Biorefinery Research Platform is hosted by the CSIR.
What is a biorefinery?
A biorefinery is a facility that integrates biomass conversion processes and equipment to produce fuels, power, heat, and value-added chemicals from biomass.
The International Energy Agency Bioenergy Task 42 on Biorefineries has defined biorefining as the sustainable processing of biomass into a spectrum of bio-based products (food, feed, chemicals, materials) and bioenergy (biofuels, power and/or heat).
By producing multiple products, a biorefinery takes advantage of the various components in biomass and their intermediates therefore maximising the value derived from the biomass feedstock.
This film (10 minutes) highlights the perspectives of biorefinery for the production of fuels, chemicals, electricity and heat from biomass. Topics covered include: the opportunities and challenges for biomass, biomass processing and biomass derived products, optimal use of biomass through biorefinery, development of cost-competitive biorefinery concepts and the challenges ahead.
Source: Biosynergy.eu