Domestic Next-Gen Feedstocks: Revolutionizing the Bioeconomy (Parts 1 and 2)

December 13, 2024

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by Jennifer Kaplan (LEC Partners/Biofuels Digest) Imagine a bioeconomy where sustainability is a fundamental prerequisite. While we have made much progress on bioeconomy technology, the challenges of developing verifiably “sustainable” feedstock remains a challenge. The fact remains that to achieve the promise of a lower carbon bioeconomy, we will have to harness the potential of agricultural byproducts as next-gen feedstocks. Once this can be done, we can reduce waste and create new value chains and economic opportunities across the country. The key to unlocking this potential lies in strategically matching feedstocks to appropriate applications based on their unique compositional profiles and processing requirements. This approach ensures optimal utilization of resources and maximizes the economic and environmental benefits of the bioeconomy. By investing in the development of next-gen agricultural feedstocks, we can drive innovation, create jobs, and build a more sustainable future for all.

Unlocking the Potential of Domestic Agricultural Residues

Here in the United States, the agricultural industry is sitting on a true cornucopia of opportunity. A 2023 Department of Energy report projects annual agricultural residue production could reach 205 million dry tons by 2030—primarily from corn stover, wheat straw, and residues from barley, oats, and sorghum.

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Domestic residues and processing wastes from other crops—such as nutshells and rice hulls—while less abundant, offer significant opportunities for smaller-scale and specialized applications.

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Policy and Incentives: Driving Adoption of Next-Gen Feedstocks

Policy frameworks and incentives are significantly influencing the development and adoption of next-gen feedstocks. The good news is that several mechanisms are currently in play, supporting this trend:

1. Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS):

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2. Carbon Pricing:

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3. Research Grants and Tax Incentives:

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Beyond Corn Stover: The Diversity of Next-Gen Feedstocks

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To complement this established research, a range of feedstocks is emerging from diverse agricultural waste streams, offering potential for specialized and small-scale biofuel applications. These novel sources, which may require less pre-treatment, are particularly promising for new technologies, especially those that require smaller volumes of feedstock. The development of next-gen feedstocks from agricultural residues will allow entrepreneurs and innovators to tap into less abundant but potentially more specialized feestocks, opening up new possibilities in the bioeconomy.

The world of next-gen feedstocks is incredibly diverse, with different bioeconomy applications requiring feedstocks with varying compositional profiles. Let’s explore this diversity of non-primary residues:

1. High-Sugar Feedstocks:

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These are ideal for fermentation processes, producing biofuels, organic acids, and other platform chemicals.

2. Lignocellulosic Feedstocks (high in cellulose and hemicellulose):

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3. Oil-Rich Feedstocks:

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These can be used for biodiesel production, lubricants, and cosmetics.

4. Protein-Rich Feedstocks:

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This diverse range of feedstocks opens up many possibilities in the bioeconomy, each with unique challenges and opportunities.

The (Domestic) Scale of the Opportunity

While the economics of next-gen feedstocks can vary widely between regions, potentially making offshore sourcing and production appear cost-effective, North America’s abundant agricultural residues present a compelling case for domestic utilization. In the United States, the numbers are staggering.

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These waste streams are substantial enough to support various bioeconomy sectors locally, offering several advantages:

1. Enhanced supply chain resilience

2. Improved domestic security

3. Reduced economic and environmental costs associated with long-distance transportation READ MORE

Next-Gen Feedstocks: Challenges, Opportunities, and Analysis (Part 2 of 2)

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While the potential of next-gen feedstocks is enormous, several complications need to be addressed to make them a reality:

1. Variability in Composition: ...

2. Collection and Logistics: ...

3. Technology Adaptation: ...

4. Market Development: ...

5. Regulatory Hurdles: ...

6. Economic Viability: ...

7. Integrating Economics and Environment: ...

8. Scale-up Challenges: ...

These challenges also present opportunities for innovation within the bioeconomy. From developing more sustainable feedstock and efficient processing technologies to creating new supply chain models, there’s room for entrepreneurship and scientific advancement at every turn. The bioeconomy is driving collaboration between sectors that traditionally didn’t interact, fostering interdisciplinary innovation to overcome these hurdles.

Analyzing the Viability of Next-Gen Feedstock

A systematic approach is helpful to evaluate the potential of next-gen feedstocks. Here’s how to create a streamlined process to screen potential next-gen feedstock sources based on key parameters:

1. Availability and Volume: ...

2. Composition Analysis: ...

3. Processability: ...

4. Product Potential: ...

5. Economic Feasibility: ...

6. Environmental Impact: ...

7. Regulatory Landscape: ...

8. Scalability: ...

9. Competitive Advantage: ...

10. Stakeholder Acceptance: ...

Case Study: Rice Hulls as a Next-Gen Feedstock

Let’s apply this framework to rice hulls as an example:

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The Bigger Picture: Circular Bioeconomy
The push to utilize next-gen feedstocks is part of a more significant movement towards a circular bioeconomy, where waste is minimized, and resources are used to their fullest potential. This concept ensures that bio-based products are designed for durability, reuse, and eventually biodegradation or recycling.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Next-Gen Feedstocks in the Bioeconomy READ MORE

Tags

wheat straw value chain Transportation Fuels Policy Sustainability supply chain Sugar Beets/Energy Beets sorghum stover sorghum rice hulls Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS and RFS2) oat straw oat hulls nut shells molasses markets/sales Investing fruit food processing waste Feedstocks Department of Energy (DOE) DDGS (distiller’s dried grains with solubles) corn stover coffee grounds carbon price Carbon Intensity (CI)/Carbon Footprint BioRefineries/Renewable Fuel Production bioproducts biomaterials bioeconomy BioChemicals/Renewable Chemicals barley straw Agricultural waste/residue Agricultural Policy conversion technology Pretreatment pre-processing Regulations-Federal life cycle analysis (LCA)

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