Market analyses on forestry biomass processing

A new report sees a promising potential of green forestry biomass biorefinery, supported by technological innovation, consumer interest, and regulatory frameworks.

By combining technical expertise with market-oriented strategies, the team in the project CEforestry has laid the groundwork for sustainable growth in the biorefinery sector.

As the world shifts towards a circular economy, forestry biomass emerges as a crucial renewable resource. Forestry residues like bark, branches, and leaves can be converted into biofuels, biochemicals, and high-value materials.

Small and medium enterprises have expressed their interest in extraction methods that can provide cleaner, more defined and characterised extract fraction which can be standardised and used in various nutraceutical and cosmeceutical applications.

“These goals can be achieved through implementation of environmentally conscious biorefinery approaches”, says Linards Klavins, researcher at University of Latvia, one of the partners in the Interreg CEforestry project.

The researchers organized meetings with experts in biomass processing and biorefinery chains. They also sent out a questionnaire for project partners and target groups.

The team conducted in-depth analyses of the chemical and physical properties of biomass side-stream products and they also evaluated their applicability across various industries. Trend analyses on technological advancements and consumer behaviour influencing future market conditions were also performed.

The report identified and evaluated several examples of green forestry biomass biorefinery chains, providing a comprehensive analysis of their market potential and integration within the industry.

The key challenges identified is high production costs and that the technology readiness remains a critical issue. Still 70 percent of respondents view biorefineries as essential to the future of the circular economy.

The biorefinery products could find end use in cosmetics, food, bioenergy, and medicines. The global biorefinery product market is expected to reach $1.2 billion by 2027, with substantial growth driven by innovations in forestry residue utilization.

“The circular economy presents significant opportunities for forest biomass. As industries increasingly adopt circular models, forest residues will be seen not as waste but as valuable resources”, researcher Arvis Eisaks says.

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