Conversion of Agro-industrial Wastes into Value-Added Products: Towards Sustainable Development

Abstract

The recent concepts of bioeconomy and circular economy stand for the growing demand of the world population for raw-based materials and renewable energy and the need to optimize the use of natural resources, reduce waste generation, and maintain the quality of traditional products. In this sense, the use of agro-industrial wastes for the production of products and services could be a key player in seeking sustainable development. These wastes, now considered resources, represent a suitable feedstock for new value-added biobased product production, including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, composite materials, and energy. Different strategies for agro-industrial waste use have been developed and implemented to promote these natural resources’ exploitation in the last few years. This chapter overviews agro-industrial waste features and their valorization in a biorefinery platform. A comprehensive approach to these resources will be carried out from its characterization, fractionation, conversion, recovery strategies, and promising products, and the main drawbacks to overcome for its implementation at a commercial scale. Besides, it emphasizes the main trends of the valorization alternatives with a focus on sustainable development.