Valorization of residual lignocellulosic biomass in South America: a review

Abstract

Residual lignocellulosic biomass (RLB) is a valuable resource that can help address environmental issues by serving asan alternative to fossil fuels and as a raw material for producing various value-added molecules. To gain a comprehensiveunderstanding of the use of lignocellulosic waste in South America, a review was conducted over the last 4 years. The reviewfocused on energy generation, biofuel production, obtaining platform molecules (such as ethanol, hydroxymethylfurfural,furfural, and levulinic acid), and other materials of interest. The review found that Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador had themost RLB sources, with sugarcane, oil palm, and rice crop residues being the most prominent. In South America, RLB is usedto produce biogas, syngas, hydrogen, bio-oil, biodiesel, torrefied biomass, pellets, and biomass briquettes. The most studiedand produced value-added molecule was ethanol, followed by furfural, hydroxymethylfurfural, and levulinic acid. Otherapplications of interest that have been developed with RLB include obtaining activated carbon and nanomaterials. Signifi-cant progress has been made in South America in utilizing RLB, and some countries have been more proactive in regulatingits use. However, there is still much to learn about the potential of RLB in each country. This review provides an updatedperspective on the typification and valorization of residual biomass in South America and discusses the level of researchand technology being applied in the region. This information can be helpful for future research on RLB in South America.