Towards net zero land biotechnology: an assessment of biogenic feedstock potential for selected bioprocesses in Germany

TL;DR

The paper explores how biogenic residues in Germany can be used in bioprocesses to produce valuable chemicals, supporting a circular bioeconomy.

Contribution

A resource matrix and material flow analysis are introduced to assess biogenic residues for bioprocesses, estimating their production potential and land use savings.

Findings

Using 20–30% of biogenic residues could meet national demands for polymer bricks, carboxylates, and platform chemicals.

Cluster approaches are essential to manage side streams in bioprocess development.

Legal, acceptance, and residue availability challenges hinder full utilization of biogenic residues.

Abstract

To stay within the planetary boundaries circularizing economy by utilizing residues is key. Bioprocesses can use abundant, but complex biogenic residues, giving access to various value-added products. To advance circularization, the feasibility of exploiting diverse biogenic residues as feedstocks for different, yet specific, bioprocesses needs to be assessed. Exemplifying the national level in Germany, we categorized biogenic residues compiled in the DE Biomass Monitor regarding their composition and feedstock potential in a resource matrix, detailing their constituents and the quality of available data. Three biotechnological processes, making use of lignin, non-fibrous carbohydrates, and oil, respectively, served as model processes to assess the biogenic production potential. By developing material flows based on state-of-the-art conversion routes, we found that residue-based production via all three example processes could meet national demands of specific polymer bricks, medium chain carboxylates, and platform chemicals, respectively, when mobilizing only 20–30% of possible raw materials. The accruing side streams underline the importance of cluster approaches early in bioprocess development. Specific challenges for fully exploiting the potential of biogenic residues were identified, including legal and acceptance issues, the need for considered biomass decomposition in interweaved production lines, and residue availability and management. This study provides an example-based framework for integrating biogenic residues with biotechnological production, using the resource matrix and an initial material-to-product estimation to advance a circular bioeconomy.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13068-025-02673-y.

Comprehensive compilation of 35 biogenic residues in a resource matrixIdentifying suitable residues and material flows for three exemplary bioprocessesEstimating production potential and land use savings for residue-based production

Comprehensive compilation of 35 biogenic residues in a resource matrix

Identifying suitable residues and material flows for three exemplary bioprocesses

Estimating production potential and land use savings for residue-based production

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13068-025-02673-y.

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